VENEZUELA

ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT 27 JUNE – 27 JULY 2007

Tom Goossens Susanne Jacops

Photograph cover - Crimson Topaz – Las Claritas -‘Barquilla De Fresa’

ITINERARY VENEZUELA JULI 2007

27/jun depart Brussels – arrival Caracas – night in Hotel Caracas 28/jun Caracas - drive to Laguna De Unare – drive to Cariacos (Araya Peninsula) night in Cariacos 29/jun Araya Peninsula – drive to Irape (5h drive) morning Araya Peninsula (Yellow-shouldered Parrot) In Irape arrange 4WD to go to Cerro Humo evening try mangroves near Irape for Rufous-necked Woodrail 30/jun birding Cerro Humo – drive to Finca Vuelta Larga morning Cerro Humo evening birding Finca Vuelta Larga for Black-dotted Piculet and Crimson-hooded Manakin 01/jul Birding Finca Vuelta Larga morning Finca Vuelta Larga for Black-dotted Piculet and Crimson-hooded Manakin afternoon boat-trip searching for Rufous Crab-hawk and Jet Antbird 02/jul Birding Finca Vuelta Larga - drive to Caripe be sure to be there before 16.00h, before closing time of the cave, arrange a guide (ask for Luis) for next morning walk up to Cerro Negro (Grey-headed Warbler) 03/jul Caripe – Cerro Negro for Grey-headed Warbler early morning birding Cerro Negro with guide (Pedro Rodrigues 120.000Bs) in search for Grey-headed Warbler 04/jul Caripe – drive to El Palmar – night in El Palmar Hotel Parador Taguapire 05/jul El Palmar/Rio Grande – night in Hotel Parador Taguapire Full day birding with our Harpy-eagle-guide Javier 06/jul El Palmar drive to Las Claritas (3,5-4h drive) – booking 7 overnight stays at Anaconda Lodge 07/jul La Escalera – night in Anaconda lodge 08/jul La Escalera – night in Anaconda lodge 09/jul La Escalera – night in Anaconda lodge 10/jul La Escalera – night in Anaconda lodge 11/jul La Escalera – night in Anaconda lodge 12/jul La Escalera – night in Anaconda lodge 13/jul La Escalera – drive to Valle de la Pascua – night in Valle de la Pascua Hotel San Marco 14/jul Drive to Illanos - night in El Cedral 15/jul Birding Illanos - night in El Cedral 16/jul Illanos drive to Barinas/Altamira (3h drive) - night in Altamira Posada Caceres 17/jul Santo Domingo Valley - La Soledad/San Isidro Tunnelroad - Santo Domingo bridge - night in Posada ‘Las Tapias’ 18/jul Upper Santo Domingo Valley – LasTapias (Gustavo’s trail) – Los Frailes – Laguna de Mucubaji – Mifafi – Paso Del Aguila - night in Tabaj Posada Dona Rosa 19/jul Full day birding the Pico Humboldt trail – night in Tabaj Posada Dona Rosa 20/jul Drive towards Barinas and further towards Maracay (12h drive including some stops) – night in Maracay Hotel Croatia 21/jul Puerto Colombia 22/jul Puerto Colombia 23/jul Puerto Colombia 24/jul Puerto Colombia 25/jul Puerto Colombia 26/jul Puerto Colombia to Caracas and flight to Brussels 27/jul Arrival Brussels

GENERAL INFORMATION This report covers a 30-day trip to Venezuela taken by Tom Goossens and Susanne Jacops. It was my second trip to the country and Susanne’s first. The first time I visited the Coastal Cordillera (Henri Pittier, Chichiriviche), Barquisimeto and Yacambu-Sanare. Now we there for focussed on the northeast until the Paria Peninsula, the east, Llanos and the Andes. We managed to see or hear 488 species following strictly taxonomy names and sequence of James F. Clements 5th edition. FLIGHT AND VISA We flew from Brussels to Caracas via Madrid with Iberia Airlines for 802,15 EUR return per person, all taxes included. We got an e-ticket and we weren’t required to reconfirm our flight. What we should do instead is check our return flight 2 days in advance on www.checkmyfligth.com to see if there were any changes. We didn’t pay any departure tax. We booked our flight through our travel agency D-tours. No visa is required for EU-citizens as a standard 90-day visa wil be granted by entering the country through an ‘entrada-stamp’ in your passport. We didn’t pay any departure tax. MONEY The unit of currency in Venezuela is the Bolívar. The official exchange rate during our stay was 2150,- Bs. to the US Dollar. I think that in this case you should break a general rule of exchanging moneys only in banks or official places due to the fact that on the black market the exchange rate for 1 dollar ranged between 3000 and 3800 Bs! We had no problems changing money at any places, just ask the person of your hotel that you’re staying and they’ll arrange someone who can exchange. We even changed dollars in the international airport right before a bank-agency can also use ATM machines in large towns and cities if banks are closed. Credit cards were accepted in some hotels, restaurants, petrol stations etc, although not commonly and not everywhere. In this case it is even best to bring in as mutch dollars as needed as with payments with VISA you will be charged in Bolivar and the standard exchange-rate will be of issue and this makes your bill 50% more expensive. Indeed a strange situation!

TIME ZONE

Venezuela is four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time and the same as Eastern Standard Time in the United States. There is no daylight saving, so during the northern hemisphere summer, Venezuela is 5 hours behind GMT, 6 hours behind mainland Europe and one hour ahead of EST in the United States.

ELECTRICITY

110 volts AC 60 cycles. American-styled two-pin plugs are most common. WEATHER Normally it is hot all year around, especially along the northern part of the coast. A hat is recommended in the mountains and necessary in the Oriente. The tropical sun is intense at altitude. However the weather in Venezuela is unpredictable. At anytime of year at higher elevations, there may be rain, clouds and mist (the Andes and the Cordilleras). Downpours can occur everywhere in Venezuela, but especially in the tropical zone they can last for hours. We were in the wet season and had mostly rain late afternoon and at night so it definitely was good for birding in the mornings. CAR RENTAL We reserved our car in advance by Thrifty through Travelocity website (www.travelocity.com) because this was the most profitable deal I could find, I thought! Normally car-hire is very expensive in Venezuela and the deal that Thrifty me gave was outstanding as it was 65% cheaper than Avis for example. The car would cost me 883 US$ for 30 days, a great deal. By picking up the car we had several troubles, first I asked for a Collision Damage Weaver and they charged me 850 US$ for this! This was as much as the price for which I reserved the car! Secondly I had to pay immediately with my Visa as the normal case would be that I gave them a blanco safety deposit and pay for the car after rental period. Third was that I had to go al these troubles with somebody who didn’t understand a word English. In my opinion this is not the way to go for an international company on an international airport. Because of all the extra expenses my Visa-account was to low to pay for the entire rental period with al the extra expenses so I asked if they could divide the cost by two so that the rest could be paid by Susanne. This was not possible as the car would be on my name and if Susanne had to pay for

a part than she also must be booked as driver and this again costed an extra 150 US$. By this time a closed the case as my nerves started to break and we went looking for another company. This led us to Avis but there the cost was too high. Then we ended up with Budget and finally somebody who spoke good English. He made us a deal and we got a small SUV for somewhat less than the price of the economy Avis-car. This deal we took and paid 2500 US$ including all taxes, assurances (Collision Damage Waiver) and unlimited mileage for a Ford SUV. ROADS AND DRIVING Most of the roads are quite good in Venezuela, some of the roads are unpaved but generally driveable in a 2WD without any real difficulty. You have to pay attention to the fact that some roads are a bit infested with ‘potholes’, these are small to big holes in the road which can damage your car if driven into resulting sometimes in flat tires or even broken wheels. Also pay attention for speed-bumps placed in some villages or near Alcabala’s (police-checkpoints). Some of these buggers are damn steep and if you come upon one at high speed I think your car either learns to fly or you will see to front wheels coming from under your hood! If you plan to visit some areas like the Rio Grande area and Cerro Humo a 4WD could come in handy but definitely not necessary as you can arrange somebody at both sides to bring you to the wanted places. For Rio Grande it is even necessary to hire someone with a 4WD to bring you to the Harpy-eagle. The area of Cano Colorado is very difficult to reach during the wet season and that is why we left it out of our itinerary and replaced it by Finca Vuelta Larga. Petrol was widely available throughout the area we visited, at a cost of c. 100,-Bs. per litre. This is the most cheap place in the world for fuel and this makes up for the high car-rental cost. Drivers must be fully licensed and 21 or older. It’s best to have an international Driver Licence as we were specifically asked for that at an Alcaballa. Cars drive on the right. Most Venezuelan drivers are macho and like to show off ignoring rules or even dangerous situations on the roads resulting in many accidents. So be warned, drive carefully and pay attention on every other car or truck on the road! Red lights are passed whenever they feel like it so also pay attention on traffic-lights. As a pedestrian you are equal to nothing and so do step out of the way when a car, truck or even motorcycle passes by. They will not give way, pass you at very short distance and if you are unlucky maybe even hit you! For most of the main roads or highways a toll has to be paid but this cost is very low averaging from 100 to 300 Bs per pay-point and pay-points are often far between. You will pass a lot of Alcaballas or Police-checkpoints. Most of these will let you pass without stopping but sometimes you will be stopped and asked for drivers licence, Passport and car-papers. Once we were asked to open our car and let them check inside. After seeing all the optical material there eyes opened a bit and I had to explain that this was for birding. No problems were given and they all kept friendly although sometimes a bit harsh ☺. VENEZUELAN AUDUBON SOCIETY For any questions regarding birding in Venezuela you can contact the Venezuelan Audubon Society. Maybe they can help you organising some parts of your trip. They can be contacted at: Venezuelan Audubon Society Postal address Apartado 80450 Caracas 1080-A, Venezuela Tel. abroad ++58-212-9910716 Tel. Venezuela 0212-9910716

VISITED AREAS As for the places we stayed in, we didn’t pre-book any of our hotels except the Hato El Cedral. This because we didn’t want to be too dependent on the places we wanted to stay. This way we could alter our itinerary when necessary. ARAYA PENINSULA This is a very good site for Yellow-shouldered Parrot and Vermillion Cardinal. DIRECTIONS The Araya-Peninsula is reached through the small city of Cariaco, approx. 105 km east of Cumana. From Cariaco follow directions to El Rincon.

IRAPE – CERRO HUMO Irape is a small town near Cerro Humo and the coast on the back-side of the Paria-peninsula. Irape acts as a base to explore the Cerro Humo. There are 2 or 3 hotels and some shops and restaurants. On the plaza Bolivar is also an internet-café. We checked in at Hotel Maryoli and asked if they knew anybody who could drive us up to Cerro Humo. They phoned Ismael, a very small guy and apparently owner of the hotel (at least that’s what they told me). He could arrange a truck to drive me up the mountain for 150.000 Bs and for his company if necessary he charged 80.000 Bs. I wanted him to go along as I didn’t knew the area at all. In the end this is definitely not necessary as the trail is good visible and Ismael self doesn’t know the birds.

DIRECTIONS To reach Irape you drive the highway 9 road from Carupano towards Guiria. You’ll be passing Bohordal. Before you reach Irape, there is a road on your left to Rio Grande Arriba and on to Las Melenas. A 4WD vehicle is recommended to drive up the mountain as there are some very steep area’s to go through. The road ends when you reach the Rangers office past Las Melenas. Here you can park the car. The trail starts on the right of the rangers office. PLACES TO STAY Hotel Maryoli Manager - Simon No address or contact details A basic but clean hotel, rooms equipped with air-conditioning and private bathrooms (only cold water). Costs were 40000 Bs/night for a matrimonial room. You’ll find the hotel by simply driving into town and check on your left where the hotel is indicated. You will see that the hotel itself is a bit more in that street on your left. SPECIALITIES AND ENDEMICS Scissor-tailed Hummingbird White-tailed Sabrewing White-throated Barbtail

Urich’s Tyrannulet Venezuelan Flowerpiercer Yellow-faced Redstart

Handsome Fruiteater Slate-crowned Antpitta Venezuelan Parakeet

EL PILAR – VUELTA LARGA Here we stayed in the Finca Vuelta Larga - lodge which is poorly indicated by the way and as such difficult to find although it’s just next to the road! The lodge itself is very nice and well kept. You will get a separate cabin with private bathroom (cold water only). Cost-wise we felt a bit disappointed in this place as when we left costs raised higher than anticipated. We were told that costs were 105000 Bs/person/night to stay at the lodge including breakfast and diner. For lunch we were charged extra if we wanted that. In my opinion the reason for coming here is to go to the Finca and watch birds. What I didn’t knew is that there were extra costs for visiting the finca at 50000 Bs/person/day and also weren’t told that when Daniel accompanied us on our walk we had to pay also an extra 175000 Bs/day for his guiding. So we ended up paying a lot of money which we didn’t anticipate. If they had given us the price-info a bit more detailed than we could have checked if we would cut something as the walk around the finca is very easy and the Piculet is rather easy to find here. The company of Daniel would not have been necessary. I must say that he did show us the right place for the Crimson-hooded Manakin but I would presume that they would tell the spot also so that you could also do this without Daniels help. In order to have a chance on Rufous Crab-Hawk you have to arrange a boat-trip from Cano Ajies. Daniel can arrange this and can accompany you on a halfday trip. You can also arrange with Daniel to go with him up Cerro Humo. He knows the place and can show you all the goodies there. HOW TO REACH If coming from Irape drive from Irape towards Bohordal and continue on. You’ll pass the larger town of Tunapui. When you’ve passed Tunapui a few kilometres west of Tunapui there is a small paved road to the left. There is a small signpost stating Finca Vuelta Larga. If coming from the other side please see map underneath.

PLACES TO STAY Finca Vuelta Larga Manager – Klaus Muller (german-spanish) Guide – Daniel Muller (enlish-spanish) Tel. 04147806481 (Daniel) Email: jaguaryaguila@cantv.net SPECIALITIES AND ENDEMICS Rufous Crab-Hawk Black-dotted Piculet Crimson-hooded Manakin

CARIPE This is THE place to see Oilbird and the place to stay, in order to search for Grey-headed Warbler along the slopes of Cerro Negro. The Oilbird is easy at the famous Guacharo-caves

GUACHARO CAVES Length of Guacharo cave system: 6.3 mi (10.2 km) Birds exit from caves: 19:00 local time Birds return to caves: 04:00 local time This cave system in the Caripe Mountains of Venezuela was discovered in 1799 by the famous explorer Alexander von Humboldt, who not only found the caverns intriguing, but also its inhabitants. Led by a lantern down narrow passageways, a visitor today can experience what Humboldt did all those years ago. As you enter the first cavern, known as Humboldt's Gallery, you are greeted by the deafening screams of up to 15,000 Oilbirds (local name - guacharo), the largest known colony in the world. They roost and nest here in the dark, but at night they leave to forage for fruits in the surrounding forest. At dusk 250 birds per minute pour out of the cave entrance, finding their way in the dark using a primitive echolocation system (similar to that used by bats and dolphins, but with the substitution of audible sounds). They mainly eat palm nuts, and the seeds they deposit in their droppings in the cave feed an entire ecosystem of cave crickets, spiders, centipedes, crabs, and rats. Some of the seeds germinate on the cave floor, so miniature forests of spindly palm-nut seedlings sprout and then die in the dark. The caves can be found about 6 miles (10 kilometres) north of Caripe. CERRO NEGRO To go up the mountain it is best to arrange a guide while visiting the Guacharo-caves. There are guides around the caves who you can ask for Luis Rodriguez or his father Pedro. I went up with Pedro. PLACES TO STAY Complejo Turistico Vacational ‘Pueblo Pequeno’ Caripe Tel. (0292)5451843 Email: pueblopequeno1@cantv.net A nice place with separate cabins each with private bathroom and small kitchen including fridge. On the grounds is also a small swimming pool to cool down. Price for a cabin for 2 persons was 125000 Bs/night SPECIALITIES AND ENDEMICS Grey-headed Warbler Oilbird White-tailed Sabrewing

White-throated Barbtail Venezuelan Parakeet Venezuelan Sylph

Rufous-shafted Woodstar

EL PALMAR – RIO GRANDE El Palmar is a small town in which we were amazed what it had to offer. By reading some info on this place we thought this would be nothing more than a couple of houses and 1 hotel in which you had to stay. In fact it is a little town with at least two places where you can stay and several shops, a fuel station and a few restaurants. From the Hotel Parador Taguapuire we walked into town to do some shopping or have diner. Sr. Stokfim, owner of hotel Parador Taguapuire can arrange a Harpy-guide when asked for. He arranged Javier for us. We stayed here for just two nights and actually birded just one and a half day. This is a bit too short and I would take out at least 2 and a half day for this. We went one day with Javier, our guide to find us a Harpy-eagle. This is already one day filled. The next day I explored the area past the Rio Grande-bridge. To reach this area you just have to drive the road further up from the Hotel Parador Taguapire for approx. 30 Km. When we were here the road past the bridge was not open anymore because there were big piles of cut-down trees stapled across the road. You had to proceed on foot. Here there are a lot of birds to be seen and you can easily spend 1,5 day exploring this area as it is the area where you can hear and maybe see the Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo, Thrush-like Antpitta, Ferruginous-backed Antbird and lots more. Then I would spend half a day exploring the open woodlands along the road towards the Rio Grande for seedeaters, Little Chacalaca etc… PLACES TO STAY HOTEL PARADOR TAGUAPIRE Manager – Levis Stokfim To reach the hotel is not so simple. First when you drive into town you have to ask for the Plaza Bolivar. This is somewhere on the right-side when you drive in, but out of sight. At the Plaza Bolivar you will see a rather big church. Pass this with the church on your right and the Plaza Bolivar on your left. Now you have the good road out of town. Drive for approximately 1 km when you see the hotel Parador on your left. This is a very simple and relatively clean place to stay. The cabins have each a private bathroom (cold water only). The cabins are definitely not mosquito-proof and we used our klamboo here hung up on the ceiling. Amazing that they are not standard applied above the beds. Costs to stay here were 80000 Bs/night for a cabin. Including meals the costs were much higher, about 150000 Bs/person so we decided to arrange our own breakfast and lunch and have diner in town which was very cheap. We even asked for French-fries and chicken for the next day which was than especially made for us! The restaurant were we did this was close to, and opposite the police-checkpoint. Ask them for directions as this place was not marked and is just a regular house. SPECIALITIES AND ENDEMICS Rufous-winged Ground Cuckoo

Ferruginous Antbird Thrush-like Antpitta

Harpy Eagle

LA ESCALERA Yet another legendary birding name, ‘La Escalera’ literally means “the staircase” and refers to a road which winds up from the Guayanan lowland forests onto the grassy plateau known as the Gran Sabana. Locals however don’t know the name ‘Escalera’ as we told somebody in town we went up on the Escalera to the Gran Sabana and they really didn’t know the name. The escarpment-side which the road climbs is covered in a dense cloud forest which is home to most of the “Pantepui” endemics which are more typical of the foothill slopes of the table mountains or tepuis proper, so it gives easy access to real Pantepui birding. There are some at least 38 Pantepui endemics (more study is certain to reveal further endemics), many of which are only found in Venezuela and most of which are far more easily seen here than anywhere else. Easily found along the forested roadside are Fiery-shouldered Parakeet, Rufous-breasted Sabrewing, Peacock Coquette, Velvet-browed Brilliant, Scarlet-horned Manakin, Orange-bellied Manakin, Tepui Brush-Finch, Tepui Whitestart and Tepui Mountain-Grackle. An eye overhead will usually be rewarded with Tepui Swifts and the rather less reliable Tepui Parrotlet. Real stunners come in the form of Red-banded Fruiteater and Rose-collared Piha. More challenging still are skulkers like Tepui Tinamou, Tepui Antpitta and Flutist Wren. The beginning of the Gran Sabana is the place to look for Tepui Goldenthroat as well as Russet-crowned Crake and Tawny-headed Swallow and rarities like Giant Snipe and Bearded Tachuri. In the dry season the forested slopes and sandstone cliffs echo to the songs of White and Bearded Bellbirds. In addition, more world-class birding is to be had in the lowlands at the foot of La Escalera, on the Capuchinroad or along the Guyana-trail. Excellent accommodation is available five minutes from the base of La Escalera. The kilometre-indications along the Escalera are altered. You will notice that in former reports and in the Mary Lou Goodwin guide the old Km-points are referred to. For example KM 88 where the PDV Petrol station is is now KM 713. I will try to use both Km-indications as much as possible in this report but a good thing to know is that old KM 100 is now KM 725. So you know to add 625 KM to the old count or minus 625 to go to the old count. LAS CLARITAS Las Claritas is a small dirty miners-town more or less at the base of the Escalera at the old KM 85 and new 710 KM. 3 km further up the road you have KM 88 or San Isidro, an even smaller village where you can get fuel and next to the fuel station is a good basic place for breakfast and lunch called ‘Las Dos Princessas’. In Las Claritas you have a few hotels/campamentos, the 2 best being Barquilla De Fresa and Campamento Turistico Anaconda. Just across the road from the Anaconda there is a telephone-shop and above that a small internet-café. Las Claritas is the home-base from which you bird the Escalera and surrounding places. Las Claritas is a dirty noisy mine-town. Las Claritas is reached driving approx. 6 hours from Puerto Ordaz (Ciudad Guayana) or if you first visit El Palmar-Rio Grande like we did approx. 3,5-4 hours from El Palmar depending on traffic. If there are many Large trucks (Carga Larga) they wil hold you up. PLACES TO STAY Barquilla De Fresa Manager - Henry Cleve Barquilladefresa@cantv.net www.strawberrybirds.com phone direct 0288-4407360 On arriving in Las Claritas you will find Barquilla De Fresa immediately on your right. Barquilla De Fresa is THE place to see Crimson Topaz as well as some other hummers attracted to the feeders that Henry Cleve tends genteelly. Normally you can only watch the feeders as you make use of his accommodation. He gave us special permission to enter his garden and watch the feeders but I have heard from others that this is not always the case and should not be depend upon! His garden is great with 3 or 4 feeders attracting, while we were there, 7 species of hummingbird. His accommodation seemed very nice and clean. The price per night for accommodation (and I think including meals but not sure) is 69 US$/night/person. Important to know is that Henry does not take guests who show up at his door, you have to make reservations in order to use his facilities. Henry can also give you up-to-date info on the Capuchinbird-lek or the Guayana-trail. Campamento Turistico Anaconda Manager - Carmen Angelica Tejeda Vega

Carmenangelica-2@hotmail.com Las Claritas KM 85 Tel. 04164902986 or 0288-4407311 A very nice and clean lodge in the middle of town. Amazing that there is such a nice place in the middle of filth and dirt. The lodge has several separate cabins, each nice and clean with their own bathroom, fan and air-co. There is also laundry facility. The lodge is run by Carmen for 16 years now. She is a very good host and cook. The price per night for accommodation is 125.000 Bs/night for a cabin (2 persons). Because we stayed more days we talked the price down to 100.000 Bs/night. They close the gate at night so be sure to tell them what time you will be going birding and they will unlock the door. There are at least 2 other hotels in town but I don’t know anything about these as I didn’t visit them.

SPECIALITIES AND ENDEMICS Tepui Tinamou Giant Snipe Fiery-shouldered Parakeet Tepui Parrotlet Caica Parrot Dusky Parrot Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo “Roraiman” Foothill Screech-Owl Tepui Swift

Rufous-breast. Sabrewing Peacock Coquette Tepui Goldenthroat Copper-rumped Hummingbird Velvet-browed Brilliant McConnell's Spinetail Tepui Spinetail Roraiman Barbtail Tepui Foliage-gleaner

Streak-backed Antshrike Roraiman Antwren Tepui Antpitta Great Elaenia Black-fronted Tyrannulet Chapman's Bristle-Tyrant Ruddy Tody-Flycatcher Roraiman Flycatcher Rose-collared Piha

Red-banded Fruiteater Purple-breasted Cotinga Spangled Cotinga Pompadour Cotinga Bearded Bellbird White Bellbird Capuchinbird

Guianan Cock-of-the-rock Olive Manakin Scarlet-horned Manakin Orange-bellied Manakin Tepui Greenlet Flutist Wren Black-hooded Thrush

Tepui Whitestart Two-banded Warbler Olive-backed Tanager Greater Flower-piercer Tepui Brush-Finch Tepui Mountain-Grackle

Following places were visited along the Escalera KM 720 (KM 96) trail left Warbling Antbird Pygmy Antwren Blackish Nightjar Black-headed Parrot KM 728-729 (KM 104-105) Pompadour Cotinga Blue-black Grosbeak KM 742,5 (KM 118,5) –antenna Lesser Seedfinch Blue-fronted Lancebill Black-headed Tanager KM 743 (KM 119) Masked Trogon Slate-throated Whitestart Smoke-colored Peewee Golden-tufted Mountain-Grackle

KM 746 – KM 747 (KM122)Alcabala-trail Red-banded Fruiteater Sierran Elenia Fiery-shouldered Parakeet Tepui Whitestart Tepui Brushfinch Rufous-breasted Sabrewing Red-shouldered Tanager Bay-headed Tanager KM 756 (KM 132) Tepui Spinetail Roraiman Antwren Coraya Wren Tepui Greenlet Slate-throated Whitestart Peacock Coquette Fork-tailed Woodnymph Golden-headed Manakin KM 761-763 Gran-Sabana Tepui Goldenthroat Russet-crowned Crake Tepui Parrotlet

LLANOS - HATO EL CEDRAL Hato Cedral provides quite a different perspective on the llanos to Hato Piñero. The reason is its location in the low llanos. The forest mosaic and rolling hills of Piñero are entirely absent; here the land is as flat as “further than never again”, to quote Venezuelan writer Rómulo Gallegos. The 53,000 ha ranch consists of flat savannas and open flooded grasslands criss-crossed by creeks. Two major rivers with associated gallery forest cross the ranch. In the wet season, Hato Cedral seems like one large shallow lake and often the main access is by boat. Nesting herons and ibis are a major attraction. In the dry season, the water bodies shrink and wildlife becomes increasingly concentrated in the remaining waterholes. By March the wildlife spectacle is unsurpassed anywhere on the continent. All the llanos endemics found at Hato Piñero occur at Cedral. With the large extensions of water, waterfowl like Orinoco Sheldgoose and Comb Duck are much easier to find than in the northern llanos, both being all but absent from Hato Piñero. Likewise Agami Herons are much more easily found along the creeks. The avifauna contains fewer Coastal Cordillera elements but more Amazonian-Orinocan species like Zigzag Heron, Amazonian Black-Tyrant and Riverside Tyrant. Yellow-knobbed Curassows are considerably less common and, because there is far less forest than at Hato Piñero, dry forest birds are a shade harder to find. White-naped Xenopsaris is relatively easy and can even be seen at the lodge, together with White-bearded Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Tyrant and a host of other speciality birds. PLACES TO STAY Hato El Cedral A nice lodge in the midst of marshy habitat filled with birds! You have a nice separate room with private bathroom and air-conditioning. A negative part here is that the place can be full with mosquito’s and the rooms are not mosquito-proof. There are no possibilities to hang up a klamboe. I find it even strange that klamboes are definitely not commonly used here while there are many places with mosquito’s and diseases that go along with them. Lunch and diner were very nice but the breakfasts could be better. At the lodge is also a small swimming pool for a nice swim in the heat of the afternoon. Same rule here even in daytime, quiet a few mosquito’s. For a 2-night stay we paid 472 US$ which is the most expensive lodge we visited during the trip but nearly a must if you want to see some Llanos-specialities like Zigzag- and Agami Heron or Yellow-knobbed Currasow. Our reservations were made by Kumeka tours which can be contacted by email kumekatours@cantv.net SPECIALITIES AND ENDEMICS Orinoco Goose Zig-Zag Heron Agami Heron Rufous-vented Chachalaca Yellow-knobbed Curassow Dwarf Cuckoo Pale-bellied Hermit Copper-rumped Hummingbird

Pale-headed Jacamar Russet-throated Puffbird Scaled Piculet Pale-tipped Inezia Riverside Tyrant Amazonian Black-Tyrant Yellow-browed Tyrant White-bearded Flycatcher

White-naped Xenopsaris Stripe-backed Wren Glaucous Tanager Trinidad Euphonia Orinocan Saltator Venezuelan Troupial

SANTO DOMINGO VALLEY LOWER SANTO-DOMINGO VALLEY Posada Cacheres Manager Willmer Davilla Tel. 04143441541 (only Spanish) No email A very nice old-type Posada with only 4 separate rooms each with private bathroom with hot/cold water. Contrary what Mary-Lou says about being an expensive posada we found it rather cheap. We paid 86000 Bs for a matrimonial room including breakfast! To reach it you should drive from Barinas 35 km from the big roundabout just outside town in the direction of Merida. Here there is a road on the right going to Altamira. You follow this road for 7 km until you drive in town. Go until you see the Plaza Bolivar drive straight to the far end and turn right. Here you will have the church on your left. The Posada is not marked but it is the blue building right next to the church. We didn’t have any troubles staying there without prior reservation. Because it only has 4 rooms it is best to make reservations to be sure that it is not fully booked. They told us they didn’t have email but maybe you can try to write to lodge@cacaotrave.com or try the Venezuelan Audubon Society (see Introduction) UPPER SANTO-DOMINGO VALLEY Posada Turistica Las Tapias Tel. 04147470961 and 01742449849 This is a very nice and clean place. To reach this drive through Santo Domingo. At the end of town there is a Maraven Gas Station. Drive further another 10 km’s and you’ll find this place on your right. It is very near the start of the Gustavo trail. Hotel Los Frailes Carretera Trasandina, sector Los Frailes Paramo de Santo Domingo Tel. 02744173440 (no English) www.hotellosfrailes.com.ve This is also a very nice and very clean place. We only had breakfast here so can’t tell anything about the accommodation but I think this is very good. It is a bit pricy though

LA MUCUY AND THE HUMBOLDT TRAIL, ANDES The Humboldt Trail is another of those “must bird” sites. This Andean trail within the 276,466 ha Sierra Nevada National Park is a wide, old Spanish pack-horse track which winds up from the ranger station at La Mucuy to the Pico Humboldt. Fortunately, the only users are hikers and birders with the occasional curious day-visitor, so that it is not uncommon to enjoy these marvellous cloud forests and their avian denizens in complete solitude. The trail begins at 2100m and can comfortably be birded to about 2700m in a morning – above that one can camp in order to access the high-altitude bamboo breaks and páramo. Often, the first species one encounters is Rufous-banded Owl in the La Mucuy car park itself. The recreation area provides excellent birding with Mérida Sunangel, Gorgeted Woodstar and Moustached Brush-Finch being typical. During the northern winter, migrant warblers fill out the colourful subtropical mixed feeding flocks. Further up the trail Rose-headed Parakeet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Golden Starfrontlet, Mérida Tapaculo, Golden-breasted Fruiteater and White-fronted Whitestart are usually easy. Rusty-faced Parrots are a question of luck whilst the four species of Antpitta, including the endemic Grey-naped, require patience. Of the four Hemispinguses, Grey-capped is common, whereas Slaty-backed is unpredictable at the higher elevations. Quite apart from the birds, this trail runs through some of the most impressive temperate forest to be found anywhere and the all-round naturalist and hiker will find many delights to savour. The trail is also frequented by Spectacled Bears. Excellent accommodation is available just a short drive from the trail head. Specialities and endemics Rose-crowned Parakeet Rusty-faced Parrot Golden Starfrontlet Orange-throated Sunangel Longuemare's Sunangel Gorgeted Woodstar Golden-headed Quetzal

Crimson-mantled Woodpecker Undulated Antpitta Grey-naped Antpitta E Unicoloured Tapaculo Mérida Tapaculo Venezuelan Tyrannulet

Golden-breasted Fruiteater Black-collared Jay White-fronted Whitestart Grey-capped Hemispingus Slaty-backed Hemispingus Moustached Brush-Finch

PLACES TO STAY Posada Dona Rosa (Tabay) Sra. Milagros Leon de Rojas Manager Sr. Carlos Pena Tel. 02742528355 (no English) Email: posadadonarosa@hotmail.com www.andes.net HENRI PITTIER MARACAY HOTEL EJECUTIVO CROACIA Urb. Calicanto 4ta. Transversal n° 16, Maracay Tel. (0243)2335656 Fax. (0243)2332746 www.hotelejecutivocroacia.com.ve CHORONI – PUERTO COLOMBIA HACIENDA PIAPOCO Manager Simon

DAY REPORT

Wednesday 27-06-2007 Weather: sunny, 31°C Costs: Hotel Catimar (Caracas) 120000 Bs, coca-cola and water 7500 Bs, diner at hotel restaurant 37500 Bs (Total 165.000 Bs) Night: Hotel Caminar, Caracas We arrived in Caracas around 3.40 pm after a flight from Madrid which took us 8h and 45 minutes. In the airport we changed dollars (100 US$ - 250000 Bs) at the Avis-desk after a guy took us there saying that you would get a better rate there than in the bank. I was a bit suspicious about this and only changed 100 US$. The rate at the bank was 2150 Bs for the dollar and we got 2500 BS so this seemed OK by me not knowing that the normal rate on the black market was even a lot higher being 3500 Bs to the dollar! We dropped in at the Thrifty desk to check up on our car reservation for tomorrow and this was all OK they told us in Spanish as they didn’t spoke one word English. We arranged our rental car with Thrifty’s which gave us the best deal through the Travelocity-website (see car rental) we thought at that time. At the exit of the airport we were met by somebody of hotel Caminar that we had reserved before we left. This went all OK. Thursday 28-06-2007 Weather: sunny and hot +30°C Costs: gasoline 6100 Bs, shop 90000 Bs, roadtax 700 Bs (Total 96.700 Bs) Night: in car We got up at 7.00 and got a ride from the hotel to the airport. Here we checked on our car at thrifty’s and soon became clear why our car was so cheap (to Venezuelan standards). The Collision Damage Weaver (CDW) which I wanted, costed as much as the car itself US$ 860! After some discussions we agreed and than we came upon some problems with my VISA-card. They told me that I had to pay upfront for the car which I had never done before, always after the rental period. Now I had a problem with my VISA. I already used my VISA in this month and I went over limit with the cost of the car. I proposed to use my girlfriends VISA but this was not allowed as the reservation was made in my name! The conversations about this were made by me in my best Spanish (I have a vocabulary of maybe 10 words!) against a person who didn’t speak any English at all (at a rental desk of an international company in an international airport!). I gave up on this and went shopping at the Avis and Budget desk. Avis turned out to be even more expensive than Thrifty with al the additional costs. After consulting Budget they said they had a good car for us and good price. After all the arrangements had been done we could finally set off! After al the car-troubles we eventually set off at around 11h for Cariaco at the base of the Araya-Peninsula. This was a long drive of nearly 8 hours to reach Cariaco. We drove a bit further towards Campona and Morro de Chacopata. We slept along the road in our car which wasn’t comfortable as it was very hot and we couldn’t open any windows because of mosquito’s. We eventually hung our klamboo for the windows to have fresh air and keep the mozzy’s out. Friday 29-06-2007 Weather: sunny with clouds, hot and humid 30°+ and in the afternoon some showers Costs: Hotel Maryoli 40000 Bs, Gasoline 2300 Bs, lunch 30000 Bs, diner 40000 Bs (Total 112.300 Bs) Night: Hotel Maryoli in Irapa After a bad night sleep we got up at 5.00h and drove a bit further to the junction towards Morro de Chacopata. Here we birded a bit back and forth. If you go right at the junction you will see a lagoon (with little water when we were here) which was productive and bordering this lagoon there are some bushes were we saw 8 Yellow-shouldered Parrots! Approximately 1 km before the junction if coming from Cariaco we saw a male Vermillion Cardinal. Other birds encountered here were Bare-eyed Pigeon and Bare-eyed Thrush, Buffy Hummingbird, Osprey, several Fork-tailed Flycatchers (all flying over in groups of 5-15!), Osprey, Large-billed Tern!,Royal Tern, Willet,…. Around 10.00h we proceeded towards Carupano and to La Finca Vuelta Larga. At the Finca we met Klaus Muller and we asked to stay there and to go the next day to Cerro Humo. His son Daniel is a guide and can arrange trips with you to Cerro Humo. Unfortunately he was not available the next day so we decided to drive to Irapa and to arrange something ourselves up there. We did reserve than already 2 nights at the finca Vuelta Larga. We checked in at hotel Maryoli and asked for Ismael as we knew from a report that he could arrange transport up the mountain. We had to pay 230000 Bs for the taxi-ride up the mountain and for his guiding. He doesn’t know the birds but I thought it would be best to have

him along as I didn’t know what to expect up there. In the end his guiding is not exactly necessary, you can easily bird the trail on your own. That way the cost solely for the taxi-ride would be 150000 Bs. Late afternoon we made a walk towards the beach in the hope to find some good mangroves but we could not find these near the beach in front of town. If you can find mangroves here, it said that Rufous-necked Woodrail should be a possibility. Saturday 30-06-2007 Weather: On Cerro Humo it was nice and cool and we had a few showers there. Lower again hot and humid Costs: trip Cerro Humo 200000 Bs, Gasoline 1500 Bs, internet 700 Bs (total 202.200 Bs) Night: Finca Vuelta Larga lodge Got up at 5.00h and our ride picked us up around 5.30h. It was an hours drive from Irapa towards the Rangers office at the start of the Cerro Humo-trail. As we started the trail a Little Tinamou was calling and soon we taped in a Black-faced Antthrush. Furthermore bird-activity was very low and I couldn’t get any views of the 2 endemic hummers. We saw some Yellow-faced Redstarts (Paria Whitestarts) and Venezuelan Parakeets flying by but not good views. During the walk we had some showers and bird-activity went even lower. We did manage to see at least 3 Slate-crowned Antpitta’s and hear 4 more. Back at the Ranger Station I managed finally to get good views of 2 Venezuelan Parakeets. We went down with no White-throated Barbtail, Venezuelan Flowerpiercer, Scissor-tailed Hummingbird or White-tailed Sabrewing! This was a major setback so soon in our trip. Around 15.00H we left Irapa for La Finca Vuelta Larga. When we got here there was nobody around so we started birding around the lodge a bit which yielded nothing really special. Later in the evening Klaus Muller arrived with a group and we got dinner and settled in our cabin.

Sunday 01-07-2007 Weather: 2 short showers in the morning and further hot and humid Night: Finca Vuelta Larga lodge Costs: 0 Bs We got up at 5.30h and left for the Finca at 6.00h. We arrived there 20 minutes later and Daniel, Klaus Muller his son, accompanied us on a walk around the big man-made pond of the estate. Daniel knows the birds of the area really well, is good in sounds and knows where the good species are. The bushes around the pond yielded quite some good birds like the endemic Black-spotted Piculet of which we saw 3 different birds. We had a lovely breakfast in the shelter-lodge near the pond and afterwards we went to the lek of the Crimson-hooded Manakin of which we saw one beautiful male. We returned then to the lodge where lunch was waiting on us and afternoon was spent relaxing and working on the birdlists as it was to hot to bird. Around 15.30h we drove again towards the Finca but now on a complete other side. Here we had a very productive short walk with Jet- and Silvered Antbird, Black-crested Antshrike, Long-winged Harrier, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Cinnamon Atilla… 1,5 hour later we returned to the lodge stopping along the way on a good spot were birds came in every evening. We noted Velvet-fronted Grackle, Slender-billed Kite, Orange-winged- and Yellow-crowned Parrot and heard a Rufous-sided Crake which responded to the tape but kept out of sight. Monday 02-07-2007 Weather: Sunny, hot and humid Costs: Finca Vuelta Larga lodge and entrance to the Finca 550000 Bs, guide 175000 Bs and 40 US$, boatride 150000 Bs, gasoline 2800, diner 55000 Bs, Hotel Caripe 95.000 Bs (Total 1027800 Bs and 40 US$) Night: Hotel ‘Pueble Pequeno’ in Caripe We got up at 5.00h and met Daniel at 5.30h for a boat-trip towards Cano Ajies and the Parque National Turuepano in search for Rufous Crab-hawk. We drove down to Cano Aijes where Daniel arranged a boat for us. After we just had taken off, the boatman spotted a nightjar in a tree, men, he had good eyes! It turned out to be a Lesser Nighthawk. We continued our trip and spotted some monkeys on the way, Capuchin and Red Howler Monkey. A first raptor proved to be a Plumbeous Kite, a second again Plumbeous Kite, a third…RUFOUS CRAB-HAWK. A nice bird in a top of a tree calling. Daniel told us that this bird was hanging around here for a longer time and that he always sat in a top of a tree when the sun came up. Later in the day the bird went lower and entered the forest and would be difficult to find than. A bit further there was a colony of Green Oropendola’s and 2 Red-bellied Macaws flew over as did some White-eyed Parakeets. On the way back we had breakfast while taping in a Black-chinned

Antbird. They (male and female) responded very well to the tape. A bit further we did the same with a pair of Silvered Antbirds. Again our boatmen proved his eyesight by spotting a snake rolled up on a branch next to the water, how did he spotted that? We returned to the lodge around 10.30h had a quick shower and left for Caripe. We tried to find the road from El Pilar towards Casanay but this was not to easy. After asking a local policeman, he told us the best way to go was to drive towards Carupano and further to Cariaco. After Cariaco you turn left towards Caripe. It took us approx. 3,5 hour to reach the Oilbird Cave. Be here before 16.00h because then is the last group to go in the cave and you have to arrange a guide here to bring you up to Cerro Negro (details in ‘Visited area’s’). We took a small guided tour in the cave to watch the Oilbirds. We did see some adults and two young down on the ground, fallen from there ridge. The noises, contact calls and ‘clicking’ sonar calls were all around us. A shame that I couldn’t take any photographs as flashes are not allowed in the cave. After the tour we waited outside until the Oilbirds came out. Until then I posted my scope and had good views of Venezuelan- and Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Orange-necked Oriole and 3 Batfalcons. Around 19.15h the calls and clicking noises went crazy, soon followed by the first bird flying out, 2,3…10 birds and they kept coming, truly a great experience. We drove down to Caripe and checked in in hotel ‘Pueble Pequeno’, a nice hotel with separate cabanas each with cooking facilities. The hotel has a swimming pool and accepted Visa.

Tuesday 03-07-2007 Weather: Clouds and sun, good temperature not to hot Costs: guide for Cerro Negro 120000 Bs, hotel 95000 Bs, shop 40000 Bs (Total 255000 Bs) Night: Hotel ‘Pueble Pequeno’ in Caripe I got up at 4.20h and met my guide Pedro (father of Luis) at 5.00h at the church in El Guacharo. We drove up to the Hacienda at the base of Cero Negro. From here we started our hike,… and what a hike it was. Sweat was poring out of every pore of my body while climbing up. There were very few birds with only 4 Slate-throated Redstarts and 1 Groove-billed Toucanet until 10.30H!!! We did hear a Grey-headed Warbler sing two times but he didn’t responded to the tape. Then at last…, I had already given up all hopes, a Grey-headed Warbler responded to the tape and gave good views. He came in twice and no more. We tried a bit further and again one came in for a short period. We tried again a bit further and the same ritual again. While watching the Warbler for the third time a beautiful male Venezuelan Sylph appeared! The second endemic in 5 minutes. I had hoped to catch up with White-tailed Sabrewing and White-throated Barbtail here but they didn’t gave any appearance. The way back down was also very intense and at times truly difficult as we didn’t find a good way down because it was to steep at places. A real challenge. Definitely not to be taking light and you have to be in good shape, if not, you will be afterwards ☺ It was already 13.30h when we got back at the hacienda and drove down again. The afternoon was spent relaxing, working on the list and report and shopping in the village for food. Wednesday 04-07-2007 Weather: Sunny and nice in Caripe, Sunny with showers and hot in El Palmar Costs: shop 5500 Bs, roadtax 400 Bs, hotel 160000 Bs, restaurant 32000 Bs (Total 197900 Bs) Night: Hotel Parador Taguapire Today was mostly travel-day from Caripe towards El Palmar. We got up at 7.00h and left our hotel around 8.00h. We got to the Orinoco river and to our surprise the bridge was ready and we crossed it. Past the bridge, we normally had to pay tax but the tax-offices weren’t ready yet. After getting into El Palmar we checked in in Hotel Parador Taguapire and afterwards we drove the 28 Km to the bridge over the Rio Grande. The road was pretty ok until the bridge. You could go another 500 meter but then there was a gate and there were cut trees all over the place blocking the way through. Birding here was very quiet and we returned around 18.00 back to the hotel. Here we met our guide Javier, the hotel manager had phoned him at our request. We agreed on a price and he would pick us up at 5.30h tomorrow morning. We walked to the village (approx. 1,5 km) to find a restaurant and have diner as we booked only accommodation at the hotel. Their prices for food were rather high and you could easily by food in several shops in town. El Palmar was to my surprise a fairly big town with several shops, a fuel station and at least one other hotel! Thursday 05-07-2007 Weather: Sunny with clouds, very warm and humid Costs: Harpyguide Javier 160000 Bs, restaurant 35000 Bs, Shop 3500 Bs (Total 198500 Bs) Night: Hotel Parador Taguapire

Rise and shine at 5.00h because today is Harpy-day! Our guide, Javier, picked us up in his 4x4. We cruised along until we reached some interesting open woodland and the first goodies appeared in the form of 2 Red-fan Parrots and a nice group of some 40 Lilac-tailed Parrotlets perched! One after the other new species for our trip list appeared. Suddenly the road was flooded and even to tricky for our 4WD to cross so we continued on foot. It was a long stretch until the Harpy-nest. On the way we noted a beautiful male Golden-headed Manakin and several Red-and-green Macaws. Just before reaching a big clearing we had to cross a small river. In this vicinity Javier spotted a beautiful Ferruginous-backed Antbird! At last we reached the clearing of which the Harpy can be seen sometimes. Javier told us that the nest holds an egg at the moment and if we saw a Harpy it would be an adult! The plan was that we would stay at the clearing and Javier would check the nest-site. If the bird flew off, chances were high that he would pass the clearing. This didn’t happen and Javier returned to take us to the nest. We reached the nest-tree but after one hour of waiting nothing there was still no bird in sight. My hopes to see a Harpy-eagle went lower by the minute. In a desperate attempt I played the call of Harpy to know how it sounded. A while later a Greater Yellow-headed Vulture soared above the nest and moments later we heard a Harpy-eagle calling close by. A dark shade dropped in above us high in a tree, adrenaline rushed through our vanes, WOOW! It was a beautiful adult Harpy looking down at us. This was why I came to Venezuela. Definitely THE bird of the trip. After watching it for 10 minutes or so it flew further. We returned to the shelter at the clearing to have lunch and stayed there for a while because it was damned hot. After 1,5 hour we returned. On the way back we crossed an army-ant-swarm which yielded at least 3 White-plumed and 10 Rufous-throated Antbirds. This was great! By now heat, sweat and mosquitoes were killing us and all we wanted is to return to the car. When we just started the car and turned we saw the road was blocked by a normal car that got stuck in the mud. No wonder! It was amazing that it even got this far. It took over an hour to get the car out and us on our way back. Around 17.30h we were back at our hotel. We went to town again for diner which was cheaper than at our hotel. Friday 06-07-2007 Weather: Hot and humid with a few rainy periods Costs: gasoline 3000 Bs, shop 13400 Bs, internet 6000 Bs, restaurant pizza 43000 Bs, Hotel for 4 nights 400000 Bs (Total 465400 Bs) Night: Campamento Turistico Anaconda I got up at 4.45h and drove towards the bridge over the Rio Grande. It was still dark when I left to try for some nightjars on the road. I only spotted a Pauraque. I parked the car at the bridge and followed the road further on foot. A couple of hundred meters past the bridge were a few piles of wood which I had to crawl over in order to continue on the road. After 1 km or so there are some trails on the right going into the forest. On these trails I found a very cooperative Ferruginous-backed Antbird and I stayed with this bird almost a half hour to take pictures. I returned back to the hotel around 12.00h to pack and leave for Las Claritas. We drove approximately 4 hours on this. In Las Claritas we checked in at Hotel Anaconda were we booked 4 nights for 400000 Bs. The normal price for 1 night was 120000 Bs. We went across the street to check our email and to have a nice pizza for diner. A good night rest for a big exploring-day tomorrow. Saturday 07-07-2007 Weather:cloudy with sunny periods and some showers Costs: shop 28000 Bs (Total 28000 Bs) Night: Campamento Turistico Anaconda We got up at 5.30h and a half hour later we drove up the Escalera for exploring the area. We found out that the old km-signs were replaced by new and of course other km-readings. We found out that KM 95 old is KM 720 new so there was 600 + 25 difference. This we kept in mind for the remainder of our stay here to easily transform the KM-readings from the reports and the Mary-Lou Goodwin-guide. Our first real stop was at the waterfall at KM 743 (Salto del Danto). Here we had our first Tepui-birds in the form of a group Golden-tufted Mountain Grackles. Also a Masked Trogon, Slate-throated Whitestart and a Smoke-colored Pewee. Than we went further up to KM 746 and walked almost until the Alcabala. This was a very productive stop with Greater Flowerpiercer, Tepui Whitestart, Sierran Elenia, Fiery-shouldered Parakeets, Tepui Brushfinch, Rufous-breasted Sabrewing, Olive-backed-, Red-shouldered-, Bay-headed-, Yellow-bellied- and Speckled Tanager. On the way back to the car we heard a Red-banded Fruiteater and 5

minutes later the bird flew in to a tree to pick a berry and gave great views. Wow, this was going great! We than went a bit higher to KM 756 and lucked out with a nice flock containing Tepui Spinetail, Roraiman Warbler, Coraya Wren, Tepui Greenlet, Tropical Parula, Buff-throated- and Olive-backed Woodcreeper. We also scored 2 females Peacock Coquette. Fork-tailed Woodnymph turned out to become the most common hummer. A bit further down we tape-lured in a pair of Roraiman Antwrens and had again a nice encounter with a beautiful male Golden-headed Manakin. We went al the way up onto the Gran Sabana were we made a stop at the Soldiers Monument but this yielded not many birds. We drove even further to KM 800 to get a better view at the Tepuis but due to low clouds visibility was weak and we couldn’t get great scenery. It became already late afternoon and we decided to head back down to our lodge where a nice diner awaited us. Sunday 08-07-2007 Weather: cloudy with sunny periods, around midday some light rain Costs: Telephone 4000 Bs, breakfast 17000 Bs, gasoline 3000 Bs, shop 8500 Bs (Total 32500) Night: Campamento Turistico Anaconda Rise and shine at 5.30h and left for the Capuchinroad at 6.00h. Once there, I realized I forgot my Ipod and speaker. We birded for 1,5h locating 2 Dusky Antbirds. It was very quiet and we didn’t here any Capuchinbirds calling. Suddenly one Capuchinbird flew over the road and was not seen again. Other birds of interest here were 2 Batfalcons. We returned to our hotel for the Ipod and we noticed a raptor flying in and perching in one of the big trees behind our hotel. My first thoughts were towards something like a Plain-breasted Hawk as it look like a European Goshawk when flying in. I got him into my bins and saw rufous in his neck, this had to be a Ornate Hawk-eagle! Hmm…I thought that for a Hawk-eagle this should have looked bigger. The bird flew of just before I got him in the scope. 5 minutes later it was suddenly chasing a pigeon just above Las Claritas, great! But again a strange hunting technique for a Hawk-eagle I thought. It returned to its same tree again. Now I could see him in the scope, obviously rufous in the neck so definitely Ornate Hawk-eagle. This was until later I noticed the drawing of an immature Gray-bellied Hawk in Hilty. Suddenly my strange thoughts of the Ornate Hawk-Eagle-sighting came back in mind. This had to be a immature Gray-bellied Hawk. Only later I noticed that this species is very rarely encountered. Still I firmly believe it had to be this species and I hope to see a Ornate Hawk-eagle in the near future so I can compare the 2 birds in my mind. We had breakfast at ‘Las Dos Princessas’ which was very good. Then we again ascended ‘La Escalera’. Our first stop was a trail on the left just before the water-pipe on which trucks come to load at km 720. A short stroll here produced 2 Blackish Nightjars that were roosting on the trail, 2 Pygmy Antwrens, a Warbling Antbird and a Black-headed Parrot. We continued up and had another walk from km 728 to 729 which produced a female Pompadour Cotinga and a Blue-black Grosbeak. A walk from 735 to 737 was very quiet, we only had a male Guinan Cock of the Rock flying over the road and responding to the Ipod but he refused to show himself again Also here a female Tepui Manakin. We drove towards the Albacala around km 747 and birded a trail some 400m past the Albacala. Here we heard 2 Tepui Antpitta’s and we tried for over an hour to see them. They were very close but we didn’t get a glimpse. Other goodies here were Tepui Swift, Tepui Brushfinch, Rufous-tailed Tyrant, Olive Manakin, Straight-billed Hermit and Velvet-browed Brilliant. After this stop we went down again. We went back to the hotel for some refreshments and by doing this we noticed a raptor flying in and perching in one of the big trees behind our hotel. My first thoughts were towards Plain-breasted Hawk as it look like a European Goshawk when flying in. I got him into my bins and saw rufous in his neck, this had to be a Ornate Hawk-eagle! Hmm…I thought that for a Hawk-eagle this should have looked bigger. The bird flew of just before I got him in the scope. 5 minutes later it was suddenly chasing a pigeon just above Las Claritas, great! But again a strange hunting technique for a Hawk-eagle I thought. It returned to its same tree again. Now I could see him in the scope, obviously rufous in the neck so definitely Ornate Hawk-eagle. This was until later I noticed the drawing of a immature Gray-bellied Hawk in Hilty. Suddenly my strange thoughts of the Ornate Hawk-Eagle-sighting came back in mind. This had to be a immature Gray-bellied Hawk. Only later I noticed that this species is very rarely encountered. Still I firmly believe it had to be this species and I hope to see a Ornate Hawk-eagle in the near future so I can compare the 2 birds in my mind. Later in the afternoon we tried once more the Capuchin-road with again not a sound from the birds. We filled up our tank and returned to the hotel. Monday 09-07-2007 Weather: cloudy with rain in the morning, some showers during the day and heavy rain in the evening Costs: internet 6000 Bs, lunch 16500 Bs (Total 22500 Bs) Night: Campamento Turistico Anaconda

We got up very early at 4.00 am and at 4.30h we drove towards the Gran Sabana to be there by daybreak. We arrived at the soldiers Monument around 5.30h and drove a bit further in search for some nightjars. We only saw 2 flying over the road a few times which must have been Band-winged Nightjars. At 6.00h it became light and we parked at the monument and I walked a km or 1,5 down onto the Sabana. It was raining, beside some Black-billed Thrushes, there was not a lot to see. As things cleared up half hour later I soon spotted my first fly-by Tepui Goldenthroat. There would follow 5 more later. At some lower vegetation I tried to get some Russet-crowned Crakes out and I had immediate success and had good views of 2 birds. Other birds seen were Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, Burnished-buff- and Black-faced Tanager, … We spent 1,5 hour here and than started the descent again. We birded our way down and it was really quiet. The only birds of note until we reached the trail at the alcabala were 1 female Peacock Coquette, 1 Copper- Hummingbird and 2 Blue-naped Euphonias. We than spent an hour or so along the Alcabala-trail finding at last 2 Rose-collared Piha’s. Here also a Roraiman Flycatcher, Ruddy Tody-flycatcher, Black-billed Trush (tepui subsp. Murinus) and Sepia-capped Flycatcher. Now it was already midday so we decided to head down to Km 88-San Isidro for lunch and a little siesta. Late afternoon we went looking for the Guiana-trail and found out that the start of the trail was blocked by a river, just to big to cross, even with boots, a bummer. We than headed for the garden of Barquilla de Fresa and asked Henri Cleve, who opened the gate for us, if we could have a look at his feeders. We were granted in and could spent half an hour looking at his wonderful feeders which attracted 2 Crimson Topaz, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Eastern Long-tailed- and Rufous-breasted Hermit, Black-throated Mango and Long-billed Starthroat. After this we went back to the lodge for again a taste-full evening meal. By than rain was poring out of the sky and flooded the whole town with a lot of mud coming down from the road as result. Tuesday 10-07-2007 Weather: Rain during the night, in the morning foggy and drizzle later heavy clouded Costs: Shop 5000 Bs, gasoline 2200 Bs (Total 7200 Bs) Night: Campamento Turistico Anaconda Got up at 5.30h and left to the Capuchinroad. I wanted to see the Capuchinbird better because a fly-by was not enough to do this bird justice. We started of at the Y-junction. No noises of the Capuchinbird were heard so I birded the main road a bit. I taped in a Scale-backed Antbird and saw a White-flanked Antwren and a Warbling Antbird. I entered the forest at the Capuchintrail, this trail starts left just past the small river approx. 150 m beyond the Y-junction. I saw a male Rufous-bellied Antwren and taped it in. I was wondering what other Ant-birds would be here and subsequently drawled in Dusky-throated- and Cinereous Antshrike and Grey Antwren! This was going great. In a flock some later were at least 2 Brown-bellied Antwrens, a White-breasted Wood-wren, Wedge-billed- and Plain Brown Woodcreeper. Also a Amazonian White-tailed Trogon was seen. A Capuchinbird called only once and didn’t respond to my playback. That was a big bummer. After this I started the way back stopping at a couple of places which seemed good or were there was some movement. This yielded plenty of birds like Paradise Tanager, Pygmy Antwren, Batfalcon, Swallowwing, Black-eared Fairy, Reddish Hermit, Lesser Kiskadee... Nice were a flock of 5 Dusky-billed Parrotlets which gave good telescope views. There were a lot of swifts flying by with some White-collared and at last I could determine a Band-rumped Swift. Untill now I had seen many undetermined swifts because I was not sure they were Band-rumped but now I can tell that I saw some Band-rumped Swifts in Rio Grande and also here. I returned to the lodge around noon. After a short siesta we left for the Escalera again. I wanted to be on the Gran Sabana when dusk came to see if there were some Giant Snipes flying around. On the way up we stopped first at the Piedra de la Virgin and was the Cliff Flycatchers there. We also saw a female Pompadour Cotinga here and a male White-throated Manakin. At KM 137 we tried for Streak-backed Antbird but none responded to our tape. We did see a nice Flutist Wren here foraging just next to the road. We hadn’t heard them so it was nice that one popped up just in front of us. Then we drove straight towards the Gran Sabana and made a walk from the beginning of the Gran Sabana until the Soldiers Monument. This for Great Elaenia and McConnell’s Spinetail, but in vain. When dusk came in it started to rain heavily and we only saw 2 Band-winged Nightjars flying around. We drove down in darkness and were sometimes surprised by the amount of water on the road because of the heavy rain. Wednesday 11-07-2007 Weather: morning was nice and sunny with heavy clouds Costs: shop 16000 Bs, phone 6000 Bs, internet 4000 Bs (Total 26000 Bs) Night: Campamento Turistico Anaconda

Morning came at 5.00h and left at 5.30h for the Gran Sabana again. My first stop was the Alcabala-trail to try for the Tepui Antpitta that we heard here before. As I entered the trail there were 2 White-throated (Tepui) Foliage-gleaners and a Ruddy Tody-Flycatcher. Just after the small stream I went right in the forest for about 50 meter and started the tape. I had a distant response and it seemed not to come any closer so I started to back away again. Than suddenly id did seem to call closer so I started playing again and within 5 minutes I had a very good view of a Tepui Antpitta, GREAT! This species doe not call very loudly and when you think it is still to far out start looking because it can be near. On the way back there were some Tepui Redstarts and Tepui Brush-finches darting around. I drove further up while watching through my windshield. There was a nice White Hawk sunbathing in the top of a tree, some Fiery-shouldered Parakeets gave good views and 4 Red-throated Caracaras made a lot of noise. I parked the car at the ‘Bienvenidos a Gran Sabana’ sign and walked half a kilometer further. White- and Bearded Bellbirds were heard. A Red-and-Green Macaw flew past as also a group of 10 Tepui Parrotlets did. A Brown Jacamar was hunting from a low bush. I came across a nice flock of tanagers with Red-shouldered-, Burnished-buff-, Black-faced-, Yellow-bellied- and Blue-gray Tanagers. I quick visit to the Soldiers Monument didn’t give me the hoped for McConnels Spinetail so I decided to head back and stop along the way. I didn’t get any far as I parked the car at KM 756 and walked a bit towards KM 757. There were many birds in this stretch with an immature male Scarlet-horned Manakin, Olive-backed Tanagers, Roraiman Antwrens, Roraiman Warblers,… Suddenly a familiar song called and moments later there was a splendid McConnels Spinetail skulking through a small bush, popping out and flying over the road, at last I scored the pain in the … Midday gave again a small siesta to overcome the hottest part of the day and we also made a phonecall home and checked our email. Around 3pm we returned to the Capuchinroad for some late afternoon birding. Birding started slow with not much movement. A Paradise Jacamar was seen. We flushed a Blackish Nightjar just next to the road and to our surprise a young bird also gave his best flying show but was not succeeding well. Just at this point a local truck passed and a young guy jumped out and catches the young nightjar. I was thinking ‘Oh no, what is he going to do with him’. He came to us and handed the nightjar over to us so we could have a close look and set it free again. Meanwhile the mom was near and could also been seen very well. A Warbling Antbird was singing. Back at the car Susanne stayed there and I started on the Capuchin trail in the hope to finally see these creatures well. Not a sound or a glimpse but a welcome new bird and often hard to see was a Trush-like Sciffornis who gave a loud whistle and showed himself pretty well. After this Susanne told me that there were 2 parrots that landed in a nearby tree. I heard Blue-cheeked Parrots calling when I was in the forest and my hopes were high to see this species. The parrots were down and out of sight, damn. Let’s try if they respond to the tape. Well, this worked well as one bird responded immediately and flew in. It gave superb scope-views. A nice close to the afternoon and we headed back to the hotel to wash of the sweat of our bodies. Thursday 12-07-2007 Weather: clouded with rain around midday Costs: lunch and shop 29500 Bs, internet 4000 Bs, Gasoline 2000 Bs, Anaconda 467500 Bs (3 nights, 3 diners for 2, beer and laundry (Total 503000 Bs) Night: Campamento Turistico Anaconda This morning we assaulted the lower Escalera starting from just before the Alcabala at KM 747. We still needed Streak-backed Antshrike here and after we played the tape between KM 747 and 746 we immediately had a response. Two birds came in and showed themselves very good. A Red-banded Fruiteater was only heard here. There was a nice fruiting tree which attracted a lot like Golden-tufted Mountain-Grackle, Sierran Elaenia, Red-shouldered-, Yellow-bellied- and Speckled Tanagers. We drove further down and made a stop at KM 743 at Salto del Danto. Here we saw nothing new only Smoke-colored Pewee and 2 Roraiman Antwrens of note. Further down we halted at the Antenna at KM 742,5. Here we had Black-headed Tanager, Chestnut-bellied (Lesser) Seedfinch and Blue-fronted Lancebill new for the list. Next was KM 737-736 to try again for Guinan Cock-of-the-Rock. We had some birds here but nothing new for the list. Noteworthy were Swallow-tailed Kite, Groove-billed Toucanet, Roraiman Warbler, Wedge-billed- and Buff-throated Woodcreeper. A bummer was a passing Forest-Falcon which we only saw bare-eyed. Obviously white-black barred Blackish headcap and a hint of light collar which jumped me than as Collared Forest-Falcon but this species isn’t barred below. The tail was black with few white bars. I couldn’t determine it as I didn’t see the eye-bill properly. Susanne had seen this and she said she definitely saw reddish around the bill making it a Lined Forest-Falcon. At 11.00h rain came in and we decided to head down for lunch. You can have very nice lunch just next to the PDV-fuel station at ‘Las Dos Princesas’.

We were tired now and had a siesta. At 15.30h I drove up the Escalera again and birded for a short while around KM 727. It soon started raining. I birded in the rain but this was not very productive so I returned to the hotel with only sightings of Red-and-green Macaw, Orange-winged Parakeet, Fulvous-crested Tanager… Friday 13-07-2007 Weather: nice weather, heavy clouded but no rain Costs: Hotel 98000 Bs, gasoline 5000 Bs, roadtax 350 Bs, drinks 5000 Bs (Total 108350 Bs) Night: Hotel San Marco – Valle de la Pascua Today was spend driving from Las Claritas towards Valle de la Pascua, en route towards Hato El Cedral in Llanos. We didn’t stop for birds on the way so that we can make as much km’s as possible. We did noted some birds on the way. Saturday 14-07-2007 Weather: nice open and sunny with some cloudy periods, hot in Illanos Costs: Gasoline 5000 Bs, Breakfast 19000 Bs, roadtax 300 Bs (Total 24300 Bs) Night: Hato El Cedral This morning we were on the road at 6.20h towards Hato El Cedral. We had still approx. 600 Km’s to do and we did this in 7,5h including one stop for breakfast and 3 fuel-stops. We didn’t do any birding along the way as we wanted to be as soon as possible in Hato El Cedral. After we arrived there we met Raphael, the all-round guide there, and he showed us our cabin. We brought our luggage in and started immediately with a general truck-tour with the other tourists. This trip lasted from 15.30h until 18.30h. It was a general productive outing with several new birds for our trip list and 4 new ones for my personal list being Sharp-tailed Ibis, Orinoco Goose, Double-striped Thick-knee and Maguari Stork. Furthermore lots of Capibara’s, 1 Orinoco Crocodile, several Cayman, 1 anaconda, Turtels and a track of a Puma. A nice safari-trip in all. We arrived back at the Hato at 18.30h had a shower and a very nice diner. Sunday 15-07-2007 Weather: Nice but clouded, hot at noon, in the afternoon 1 hour of rain Costs: 0 Bs Night: Hato El Cedral Up at 5.30h, breakfast at 6.00h and left for the boattrip with our guide Victor in search of Agami- and Zigzag Heron at 7.00h. It was a very productive trip with several good species like Sungrebe, Yellow-knobbed Curassow, Green Ibis, American Dwarf Kingfisher, Boat-billed Heron, Sunbittern etc. We did miss the Zigzag- and Agami Heron due to high water levels so that they can be anywhere. Take note that due to lots of biting mosquito’s it is necessary to use strong repellent. When we came back and docked the boat a Dwarf Cuckoo flew past and perched nicely. Than we birded around the campground with Victor and he easily found us a White-bearded Flycatcher and later he also heard a White-naped Xenopsaris which responded very good to the tape. After my question for owls or nightjars we went looking for roosting White-tailed Nightjar but this we didn’t find. He did point out a roosting Great Horned Owl and a Barn Owl. Than a quick shower, lunch and a few hours relaxing by the pool until 15.30h when we went out again with the truck. We did the roads back and forth and saw many birds with South-American Snipe, Double-striped Thick-knee, Yellowish Pipit, Osprey and many more. As we returned it got already dark and we saw 2 smaller nightjars (presumably Band-tailed) and 1 Nacunda Nighthawk. Victor knows the birds fairly well and most important knows where to find them. I gave him a list of the birds I wanted to see and he got us most of them. We had again a nice diner and got to bed. Monday 16-07-2007 Weather: Sunny with lots of clouds, warm and a shower before noon Costs: Hotel including breakfast 86000 Bs, fuel 5000 Bs, MacDonalds 32000 Bs, shop 22000 Bs (Total 145000 Bs) Night: Posada Cacheres in Altamira

In the morning I birded the entrance road towards the Hato and had nice views of Plain-breasted Ground-Dove, a few Small-billed Elaenias and Aplomado Falcon. After breakfast we went again with Victor on a truck-drive. Along the road we flushed a pair of Blue Ground-Doves and a nightjar which proved to be a White-tailed Nightjar. A short stop was made and we had White-fringed Antwren, we also tape-lured a Male Jet Antbird. The end of the ride was

a big Mango-tree forest which attracts Scarlet Macaw, a bird high on my want-list. We couldn’t find any but did see 2 Orange-chinned Parakeets and 3 Limpkins. Back at the lodge we had lunch and departed around 14.00h for Barinas-Altamira. After some shopping and a McDonalds-diner in Barinas, we arrived at the lovely ‘Posada Cacheres’ around 18.30h. Tuesday 17-07-2007 Weather: Nice open and sunny, hot at the Soledad- and San Isidro tunnel-road and chilly in Santo Domingo Costs: Hotel 50000 Bs, Diner 32000 Bs, Lunch 17000 Bs, shop 8000 Bs, fuel 1200 Bs, workmen at San Isidro mine 3000 Bs (Total 111200 Bs) Night: Posada Turistica Las Tapias Today we got up at 6 h to have an excellent breakfast at 6.3O h. Willmer gave us the feeling we were special and to him maybe we were, because we were the only guests at that time in the Posada. This is beyond a doubt the most clean place we stayed at since our trip began. The restaurant section here also was very (!) cosy and clean. Definetely a place to go to whenever you are in the neighbourhood. They say reservations and payment must be maid in advance, but we didn’t and we got in without any questions asked. After this luxury back to reality. We drove up to La Soledat road and parked our car in front of the restaurant La Carajada and went up to climb the (mostley) paved road along witch we saw : At noon we entered the restaurant to eat some Pisca (Andean soup) After eating we drove up to the San Isidro tunnel-road, we asked at a miner if it was ok to leave our car in front of the barracks and he didn’t object. Due to the raining season there was a stream which we could not pass. If we only had our rubber-boots on we would have had no problems here, now the only thing we could do was return to our car. By that time it was already 18 h so in any case time to move on looking for our next place to sleep. We first wanted a room at the Posada ‘Paramo Real’, but found the gate closed so we went back to look for another place and we finally were able to get us in to the Posada Turistico Las Tapias where again we were the only guests! After more than 3 weeks heat and humidity, this was something else. When we got out of our air-conditioned car the cold struck us in the face, what a difference from this morning! This was more or less 10 to 15° and for the first time we needed heating instead of an air-co in our room. Next to the Posada is a restaurant were we had our dinner, not so fancy but it was ok,taking in mind that in fact they were already closed but did an effort to make us something. Wednesday 18-07-2007 Weather: Sunny, cold in the morning and when the sun came hot in the sun and chilly once a cloud came in. Clouds in the afternoon with sunny periods Costs: Breakfast Los Frailes 28400 Bs (Total 28400 Bs) Night: Posada Dona Rosa Up at first light to bird the Gustavo-trail, Susanna stayed in bed. This trail (it’s more of a small road now) starts some 400 meter down towards ….. Mary-lou tells you of a blue gate but in fact it is painted over now in brown. Along this road I saw a stunning male Orange-throated Sunangel and later also a female. I taped in 2 Merida Tapaculo’s. New species for the trip came easy with Chestnut-crowned Antpitta (only heard here), Blue-backed Conebill, Lacrimose Mountain Tanager, Plain-breasted Hawk, White-fronted Redstart, Brown-bellied Swallow, Sparkling Violetear… Back at 10.00h and took the opportunity to have a ‘fancy’ breakfast at Los Frailes so we could bird in the garden were there are feeders. Nothing of any importance occurred here, a bummer! A brief view of a male Orange-throated Sunangel was a good one for Susanne as she missed this species this morning on the Gustavo-trail. The only other hummer we saw here was a Sparkling Violetear. However the location was nice. Well fed and ready to proceed our journey for the day we drove to the Laguna Mucubaij were we did the trail that leads to the Cascades. The scenery is great, but lots of horses passed us so we decided to walk next to the trail in order to see more birds here. The weather was great, sunny and no wind but we did need to wear a sweater because it was a bit chilly. Do not forget to put on some sunlotion, preferably with a high factor. You may not notice it, but at the end of the day you will find your face to be red as a turkey!!! Our next stop was the Mifafi Condor centre to make a stroll from about an hour witch resulted in some nice views of Bar-winged Cinclodes, Streak-backed Canastero and Andean Tit-spinetail. In the cages were 3 Andean Condors. Again continue our bird-seeking quest at the Paso del Aguila. By this time the altitude-sickness struck me so Susanne had to do the driving. I walked the shortcut-trail that starts on your right before you reach the summit and Susanne drove down to meet me at the end of the trail. It was a good trail with Paramo Pipit, Plumbeous Sierra-finch, Plain-colored Seedeater and Streak-backed Canastero. A brief stop at the small lake 2,5 km past the summit yielded no more than 2 Andean Teals and not the hoped for Andean Snipe. Next we drove towards Merida to find the Posada Dona Rosa in Tabay. Here we are to spend the next 2 nights as it is an ideal

base to do the Pico-Humboldt-trail. At this nice 140 year old renovated hacienda, we also had dinner, again nothing fancy (the chicken was raw on the inside). I think this was maybe the worst so far, but what can you aspect at such short notice? In general the food here is very good, and we never were sick by eating anything suspicious. By this time I am happy to get some sleep because for the first time since the start of our journey I am not feeling very well, major headache and not feeling to well in my stomach!? A tablet for the headache, a brief nap and a relaxing shower pept me up. Thursday 19-07-2007 Weather: Sunny in the morning, rain from 13.30h Costs: 0 Bs Night: Posada Dona Rosa - Tabay Up at 5 h, today is Pico Humboldt-trail-day! Friday 20-07-2007 Weather: Andes foggy, rain and cold lowering down to nice, sunny and hot with a single shower on the way Costs: roadtax 900 Bs, Fuel 4600 Bs, lunch 48000 Bs, juice 5000 Bs, Posada Dona Rosa 250000 Bs, Hotel Croatia 150000 Bs (Total 458500 Bs) Night: Hotel Croatia - Maracay We had a bit of a lie in and started the day at 7.30h with breakfast and saying goodbye to Carlos, the manager of Posada Dona Rosa. At 8.30h we were of for a long ride in the direction of Barinas and than as far as we could get. The drive went smoothly. Our first intention to stop once again at Laguna Mucubaij was a no go through very bad weather here (mist and heavy rain). My chances to see the Bearded Helmetcrest were vanished . We lowered down stopping once more at the bridges near Santo Domingo to see if we could get Torrent Duck on our list. We only saw a Torrent Tyrannulet and some Russet-backed Oropendola’s new for the list. Our stop at Rio Baragan was a bummer. I was looking for a trail near the bridge but I only found a very, very steep trail up the mountain. I had to see were I was placing my feet and therefore didn’t see much birds. On top of that it was very hot and sweat was poring out of me. I quickly returned to the car and we continued our journey. En route we saw several commoner species but in a cue while waiting to enter the Autopista suddenly a nice male Lesson’s Seedeater turned up next to the car, a new bird for the trip and even a lifer for me! We started searching for a place to sleep around 19.00h in…. But the only thing we saw were sex-hotels, not really the thing for us and so we continued driving. In Valencia we got a bit troubles finding the way by missing an exit and after 2 hours more we ended up in Maracay. Here a phoned my frien Pépé Clavijo if he could tell us how to reach a hotel and he phone-guided us towards Hotel Croatia. We fell asleep at once after a tiring day of driving. Saturday 21-07-2007 Weather: nice and sunny, very warm Costs: Posada (5 nights) 1001000 Bs, drinks 8000 Bs, lunch 22000 Bs (Total ) Night: Posada We left our hotel in Maracay around 6.30h so that we could ascend the Choroni-road with minimum traffic. We also were worried of finding a nice place to spend our last relaxing days because there was a national holiday next Tuesday which meant lot’s of tourists at the beaches of Choroni and thus maybe a lot of hotels/Posadas would have been booked. We arrived in Puerto Columbia around 8.00h after a hell-ride over the Coastal Cordillera following Choroni road. We checked in at Posada …….. and made a walk through the village and to have a look at the beach. From now on birding will be kept at a low profile and these last days will be enjoyed relaxing before heading back home and to work . On our reconisaince-walk we saw Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigatebird, Streaked Flycatcher, Greater Kiskadee, Southern Rough-winged Swallow and Blue-gray Tanager. Our last few days were spent relaxing on the beach and around the pool.

SPECIES LIST

Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - HO - One bird heard 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - HO - One bird heard Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - Common 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 1 bird seen Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 100+ 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Common 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 1 bird at the stream on the way to Altamira 18/07/2007 - Mucubajie - 1 bird 20/07/2007 - En route from Tabay to Maracay - Few birds seen Anhinga Anhinga anhinga 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 1 bird seen Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - Common 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Few birds seen Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 4 birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - heard Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - One bird seen 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Common Great Egret Ardea alba Fairly common throughout Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 2 Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 1 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen Snowy Egret Egretta thula 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Fairly common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Fairly common 20/07/2007 - En route from Tabay to Maracay - 1 bird seen Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Fairly common Striated Heron Butorides striata 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - few 04/07/2007 - Drive towards Rio Grande - 1 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Few birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Fairly common Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 2 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Few birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Few birds seen Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 2 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen

Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip - 10+ birds seen Rufescent Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma lineatum 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 1 adult and 2 immatures seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 10+ birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Few birds seen Wood Stork Mycteria americana 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Fairly common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Fairly common Maguari Stork Ciconia maguari 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Few birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Fairly common Jabiru Jabiru mycteria 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - At least 6 birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Fairly common Buff-necked Ibis Theristicus caudatus 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Fairly common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Common Sharp-tailed Ibis Cercibis oxycerca 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 5 birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 3 birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 3 birds seen Green Ibis Mesembrinibis cayennensis 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 3 birds seen Bare-faced Ibis Phimosus infuscatus 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Common Scarlet Ibis Eudocimus ruber 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 5+ 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - 1 adult and 30+ imm. Seen 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 1 adult seen Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 5+ 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 3 birds 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 3 birds seen Caribbean Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 200+ Horned Screamer Anhima cornuta 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 3 birds, one seen very well White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata 04/07/2007 - Drive towards Rio Grande - 2 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Common Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 3 birds seen 06/07/2007 - en route from El Palmar to Las Claritas - 2 birds seen at a small pond 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Common

Orinoco Goose Neochen jubata Near-threatened (NT) 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 20+ birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 10+ birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 10+ birds seen Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - 1 bird flew over Brazilian Teal Amazonetta brasiliensis 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 female seen Speckled Teal Anas flavirostris 18/07/2007 - Mucubajie - 5 birds on the lake 18/07/2007 - Paso del Aguila - 2 birds Blue-winged Teal Anas discors 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 1 female seen Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Common throughout Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Common throughout Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes burrovianus Venezuela - 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Few birds seen Greater Yellow-headed Vulture Cathartes melambrotus 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 1 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 5+ 13/07/2007 - En route from Las Claritas to Valle de la Pascua - One bird seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Few birds seen Osprey Pandion haliaetus 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 1 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis 14/07/2007 - En route to Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 1 Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the morning and La Escalera - One bird seen 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - One bird around KM 737 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 6 birds seen White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 1 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen 20/07/2007 - En route from Tabay to Maracay - 1 bird seen Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis Venezuela - 14/07/2007 - En route to Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen Slender-billed Kite Rostrhamus hamatus Venezuela - 1/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 1 Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - 2 birds seen 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande – with Harpy-guide - 4 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - One bird seen at the Rio grande trail 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - One bird soring above Las Claritas Long-winged Harrier Circus buffoni 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 1

Gray-bellied Goshawk Accipiter poliogaster 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas - a nice observation of a juvenile bird hunting above Las Claritas and later nicely perched in a tree behind Hotel Anaconda White Hawk Leucopternis albicollis 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 1 bird seen 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One bird seen 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - 1 bird sunbathing in a tree next to the road at KM 750 Rufous Crab-Hawk Buteogallus aequinoctialis 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - 1 bird seen very well Great Black-Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 1 adult seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen Savanna Hawk Buteogallus meridionalis 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Fairly common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Fairly common Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon – few birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 5+ birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 2 birds seen Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus 18/07/2007 - Mucubajie - 2 birds Gray Hawk Asturina nitida 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 3 Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris Common throughout Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus 14/07/2007 - En route to Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen White-tailed Hawk Buteo albicaudatus 13/07/2007 - En route from Las Claritas to Valle de la Pascua - One imature seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 4 birds seen Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 1 adult Harpy Eagle Harpia harpyja Near-threatened (NT) 5/07/2007 - Rio Grande – 1 adult Red-throated Caracara Ibycter americanus 11/07/2007 – Escalera, higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 4 birds next to the road at KM 750 Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway Fairly common throughout Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima Fairly common throughout Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 2 Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - One bird flew by perched briefly and off again Lined Forest-Falcon Micrastur gilvicollis 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - 1 bird passed the road around KM 737, bare eye-view only American Kestrel Falco sparverius 13/07/2007 - En route from Las Claritas to Valle de la Pascua - One bird seen 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 2 birds at the hotel

Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - One bird along the Rio Grande trail 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - 2 birds at Capuchinroad Rufous-vented Chachalaca Ortalis ruficauda 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 10+ birds seen Andean Guan Penelope montagnii 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - Total 8 birds always in pairs Yellow-knobbed Curassow Crax daubentoni Near-threatened (NT) Near-endemic 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip - 1 female from the boattrip Crested Bobwhite Colinus cristatus 04/07/2007 - Drive towards Rio Grande - 2 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 4 birds seen Hoatzin Opisthocomus hoazin 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 2 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 30+ birds seen from the boattrip Limpkin Aramus guarauna 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga - 20+ 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 3 birds seen Russet-crowned Crake Anurolimnas viridis 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana - 2 birds taped in on the Gran Sabana around KM 763 Rufous-sided Crake Laterallus melanophaius 1/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - HO – 2 birds heard 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 3 birds heard? Gray-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajanea 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip - 2 birds seen from the boattrip 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica 04/07/2007 - Drive towards Rio Grande - 3 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 5+ birds seen Azure Gallinule Porphyrio flavirostris 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 5 birds seen Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 20/07/2007 - En route from Tabay to Maracay - 1 bird seen Sungrebe Heliornis fulica 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip - 4 birds seen from the boattrip Sunbittern Eurypyga helias 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip - 3 birds seen from the boattrip Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 50+ 04/07/2007 - Drive towards Rio Grande - 1 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 2 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Common 20/07/2007 - En route from Tabay to Maracay - Few birds seen Double-striped Thick-knee Burhinus bistriatus 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 2 birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 6 birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen

Pied Lapwing Vanellus cayanus 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Fairly common Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis Fairly common throughout Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 10+ Collared Plover Charadrius collaris 29/06/2007 - En route to Irape - 10+ 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon truckdrive - 40+ birds seen most in one group! South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon truckdrive - 4 birds seen displaying! Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 1 Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 4 Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 1 Laughing Gull Larus atricilla 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 15+ Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 4 Royal Tern Sterna maxima 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 50+ Large-billed Tern Phaetusa simplex 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 10+ 14/07/2007 - En route to Hato El Cedral - 3 birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Few birds seen Black Skimmer Rynchops niger 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 100+ 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 10+ birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Few birds seen Bare-eyed Pigeon Patagioenas corensis Near-endemic 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - Common Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 5 birds seen Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon – 10+ birds seen 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - Few birds seen 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Fairly common Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One bird perched in a tree 10/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the evening - 2 birds at the Gran Sabana Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Fairly common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Common Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - Common

Plain-breasted Ground-Dove Columbina minuta 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 3 birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen well Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga - few 04/07/2007 - Drive towards Rio Grande - 30+ 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - Common 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Fairly common 20/07/2007 - En route from Tabay to Maracay - Few birds seen 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Few birds seen Scaled Dove Columbina squammata 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 10+ and more heard 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Common 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Common Blue Ground-Dove Claravis pretiosa 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - One pair seen White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi 6/07/2007 - en route from El Palmar to Las Claritas - 1 bird at the bridge over the Cuyuni river 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen and several heard 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - Fairly common 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - Fairly common Gray-fronted Dove Leptotila rufaxilla 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon – few birds seen Lined Quail-Dove Geotrygon linearis Near-endemic 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - HO - One bird flushed and another heard 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - HO - Only heard 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - only heard 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 6 birds flushed, 1 perched briefly Red-and-green Macaw Ara chloroptera 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 5+ 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - One bird flying over at the beginning of the Gran Sabana 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - 2 birds flew past around KM 727 Chestnut-fronted Macaw Ara severa 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 10 birds seen as they flew from their roosting trees at the lodge Red-bellied Macaw Orthopsittaca manilata 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - 2 birds flew past White-eyed Parakeet Aratinga leucophthalmus 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 2 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - Few birds flew over 04/07/2007 - Drive towards Rio Grande - 4 Brown-throated Parakeet Aratinga pertinax 04/07/2007 - En route from Caripe towards El Palmar - 2 14/07/2007 - En route to Hato El Cedral - 2 birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 50+ birds seen 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Fairly common Fiery-shouldered Parakeet Pyrrhura egregia 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 7 birds flew by at Km 746 White-eared Parakeet Pyrrhura leucotis Near-endemic 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - Several flyovers but only 2 birds seen well Green-rumped Parrotlet Forpus passerinus 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 1 fly-over 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 5 birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 20+ birds seen

16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 50. birds seen 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 10+ birds seen Dusky-billed Parrotlet Forpus sclateri 10/07/2007 - Capuchinroad in the morning - 5 birds seen well at the Capuchinroad Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 2 birds seen Golden-winged Parakeet Brotogeris chrysopterus 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 10+ 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - 2 birds flew past around KM 727 Tepui Parrotlet Nannopsittaca panychlora Near-endemic 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - 10 birds flying over at the beginning of the Gran Sabana Lilac-tailed Parrotlet Touit batavica 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 100+ one group seen perched! Black-headed Parrot Pionites melanocephala 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 3 Blue-headed Parrot Pionus menstruus 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - 10+ birds seen just outside Las Claritas 09/07/2007 - afternoon Barquilla de Fresa - 2 birds over the garden of Barquilla De Fresa Red-billed Parrot Pionus sordidus 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - 40+ birds seen flying Yellow-shouldered Parrot Amazona barbadensis Vulnerable (VU) Near-endemic 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 8 birds seen well Yellow-crowned Parrot Amazona ochrocephala 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 10+ birds seen and more heard 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - 2 birds flew over 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen Orange-winged Parrot Amazona amazonica Fairly common in the east Red-fan Parrot Deroptyus accipitrinus 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 2 birds seen Dwarf Cuckoo Coccyzus pumilus 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 1 bird seen Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 birds seen 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 1 bird seen 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 1 bird seen Little Cuckoo Piaya minuta 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 4 Greater Ani Crotophaga major 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 10+ 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip - Fairly common on the boattrip 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Fairly common Smooth-billed Ani Crotophaga ani Seen at most sites Barn Owl Tyto alba 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 2 birds seen at their day roost Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen at his day roost near the lodge Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum 09/07/2007 - One bird heard from our lodge

Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - 1 bird roosting on a branch above the water Nacunda Nighthawk Podager nacunda 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen at dusk near the lodge Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - One bird on the road towards Rio Grande in the morning Band-winged Nightjar Caprimulgus longirostris 10/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the evening - 2 birds at the Gran Sabana White-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus cayennensis 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 flushed and seen well Blackish Nightjar Caprimulgus nigrescens 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera - 2 birds roosting on a trail on km 720 11/07/2007 - One adult female and young along the Capuchinroad Tepui Swift Cypseloides phelpsi Near-endemic 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - At least 4 birds seen at the Soldiers Monument 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - 1 bird seen around km 747 Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 20+ birds seen White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris 08/07/2007 - 50+ birds at Las Claritas and the Capuchinroad 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the morning - 20+ over the Gran Sabana 10/07/2007 - Capuchinroad in the morning - 20+ Capuchinroad 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 20+ over the Capuchinroad 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 50+ birds seen Band-rumped Swift Chaetura spinicaudus 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - Few 10/07/2007 - Capuchinroad in the morning - 20+ Capuchinroad 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - few birds over the Capuchinroad 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - Few birds seen Short-tailed Swift Chaetura brachyura 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 1 bird seen 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 10+ 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 10+ 04/07/2007 - Drive towards Rio Grande - 2 Fork-tailed Palm-Swift Tachornis squamata 29/06/2007 - Irape - 5+ 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - few 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - few Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 Rufous-breasted Hermit Glaucis hirsuta 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 1 bird seen Green Hermit Phaethornis guy 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 2 birds seen Eastern Long-tailed Hermit Phaethornis superciliosus 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 1 bird seen at KM 756 08/07/2007 - few birds at various places along the Escalera Straight-billed Hermit Phaethornis bourcieri 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One bird at the trail just past the Albacala Sooty-capped Hermit Phaethornis augusti Near-endemic 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 1 bird seen at Posada Cacheres in Altamira 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Few birds seen

Reddish Hermit Phaethornis ruber 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - One seen 10/07/2007 - Capuchinroad in the morning - 1 bird along the Capuchinroad 11/07/2007 - 1 bird zooming by at the Capuchinroad Blue-fronted Lancebill Doryfera johannae 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - One fine male was seen at KM 742,5 near the antenne Gray-breasted Sabrewing Campylopterus largipennis 09/07/2007 - afternoon Barquilla de Fresa - One bird at Barquilla De Fresa Rufous-breasted Sabrewing Campylopterus hyperythrus Near-endemic 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 1 bird seen at KM 746 09/07/2007 - afternoon Barquilla de Fresa - One bird at Barquilla De Fresa Brown Violet-ear Colibri delphinae 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 3 birds seen Sparkling Violet-ear Colibri coruscans 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 1 bird at the feeders at Hotel Los Frailes 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 3 birds seen Black-throated Mango Anthracothorax nigricollis 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 3 females seen 09/07/2007 - afternoon Barquilla de Fresa - One bird at Barquilla De Fresa Crimson Topaz Topaza pella 09/07/2007 - afternoon Barquilla de Fresa - Two males at Barquille De Fresa Violet-headed Hummingbird Klais guimeti 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 1 male and 2 females seen Peacock Coquette Lophornis pavoninus Near-endemic 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 2 females at KM 756 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the morning and La Escalera - One female around KM 750 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - One female at KM 756 Blue-tailed Emerald Chlorostilbon mellisugus 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - One female seen 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Few birds seen Fork-tailed Woodnymph Thalurania furcata 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 1 male 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 5 birds seen at different locations along the Escalera 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - 3 birds at various sites along the Escalera 09/07/2007 - Barquilla de Fresa – most common hummer at the feeders of Barquilla De Fresa 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 3 birds seen 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - One male was seen Tepui Goldenthroat Polytmus milleri Near-endemic 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the morning and La Escalera - 5 birds seen around KM 761-763 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - 2 birds seen at the beginning of the Gran Sabana Buffy Hummingbird Leucippus fallax Near-endemic 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 10+ Glittering-throated Emerald Polyerata fimbriata 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 2 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Few birds seen Steely-vented Hummingbird Saucerottia saucerrottei 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - Fairly common Copper-tailed Hummingbird Saucerottia cupreicauda Near-endemic 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 1 bird near KM 756 Copper-rumped Hummingbird Saucerottia tobaci Near-endemic 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - One bird seen 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the morning and La Escalera - One bird around KM 750

Velvet-browed Brilliant Heliodoxa xanthogonys Near-endemic 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One bird at the trail just past the Albacala Golden Starfrontlet Coeligena eos Country endemic 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 2 birds seen Longuemare's Sunangel Heliangelus clarisse Near-endemic 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - Fairly common Orange-throated Sunangel Heliangelus mavors Near-endemic 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail - Male and female/Los Failes - 1 male at feeders Booted Racket-tail Ocreatus underwoodii 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 1 nice full male seen Tyrian Metaltail Metallura tyrianthina 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 1 bird seen Long-tailed Sylph Aglaiocercus kingi 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 1 male seen 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 2 birds seen Venezuelan Sylph Aglaiocercus berlepschi Country endemic 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - One beautiful male seen Black-eared Fairy Heliothryx aurita 10/07/2007 - 1 bird along the Capuchinroad 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - 1 bird was seen near Salto del Danto KM 743 Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris 09/07/2007 - 2 birds at Barquilla De Fresa White-tailed Trogon Trogon viridis 10/07/2007 - Capuchinroad in the morning - 1 bird at the Capuchintrail Collared Trogon Trogon collaris 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - One male seen Masked Trogon Trogon personatus 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 1 male at KM 743 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - A pair around km 736 10/07/2007 - Escalera and Gran Sabana in the evening - 1 male at KM 737 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - A nice pair at KM 737 Black-tailed Trogon Trogon melanurus 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One male at the Capuchinroad Golden-headed Quetzal Pharomachrus auriceps 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 1 bird seen Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquatus 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 5 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 1 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 1 bird seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 1 bird at the headquarters Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 2 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 1 bird seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 3 birds seen Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - One bird at the Rio Grande 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 1 bird seen American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 2 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen

Brown Jacamar Brachygalba lugubris 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - 1 bird at the beginning of the Gran Sabana Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 1 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - 2 birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 2 birds seen 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 1 bird seen Green-tailed Jacamar Galbula galbula 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 1 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 2 birds seen at the Rio Grande trail 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One bird at Capuchinroad Paradise Jacamar Galbula dea 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 2 birds seen at the Rio Grande trail 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 1 bird along the Capuchinroad Great Jacamar Jacamerops aureus 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 2 nice males White-necked Puffbird Notharchus macrorhynchos 10/07/2007 - 1 bird along the Capuchinroad Russet-throated Puffbird Hypnelus ruficollis Near-endemic 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 1 Two-banded Puffbird Hypnelus bicinctus Near-endemic 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - One bird at the lodge Black Nunbird Monasa atra 06/07/2007 - en route El Palmar to Las Claritas - 3 birds seen near the bridge over Rio Curuni 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - One bird seen at the Rio grande trail Swallow-wing Chelidoptera tenebrosa 09/07/2007 - One bird at the start of the Guyana-trail 10/07/2007 - 3 birds along the Capuchinroad Black-spotted Barbet Capito niger 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 1 female Groove-billed Toucanet Aulacorhynchus sulcatus Near-endemic 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 3 birds seen 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - One bird seen Chestnut-tipped Toucanet Aulacorhynchus derbianus 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - One bird at KM 737 Black-necked Aracari Pteroglossus aracari 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 2 04/07/2007 - Drive towards Rio Grande - 1 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 5+ 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - Few birds seen 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One bird just outside Las Claritas 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 1 bird along the Capuchinroad Red-billed Toucan Ramphastos tucanus 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 2 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 2 Golden-spangled Piculet Picumnus exilis 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 10/07/2007 - Capuchinroad in the morning - 1 bird along the Capuchinroad 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 1 bird in a mixed flock at KM 756 Black-spotted Piculet Picumnus nigropunctatus Country endemic 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga – 4 birds seen Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus Fairly common throughout

Red-rumped Woodpecker Veniliornis kirkii 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - 2 birds at the trail just past the Albacala Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - One bird seen 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 1 bird seen Crimson-mantled Woodpecker Piculus rivolii 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 3 birds seen Spot-breasted Woodpecker Colaptes punctigula 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 2 birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 1 bird seen Chestnut Woodpecker Celeus elegans 10/07/2007 - 1 bird on the Capuchintrail Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 2 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - 2 birds seen 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 female 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen Red-necked Woodpecker Campephilus rubricollis 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 2 birds seen at the Rio Grande trail 10/07/2007 - 2 birds along the Capuchinroad Crimson-crested Woodpecker Campephilus melanoleucos 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 female Bar-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus 18/07/2007 - Mifafi - 3 birds seen 18/07/2007 - Paso del Aguila - 1 bird seen Andean Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura andicola 18/07/2007 - Mifafi - 1 bird seen just behind the Condorcage Rufous Spinetail Synallaxis unirufa 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 1 bird seen and another heard Pale-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis albescens 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 1 bird seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - heard 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 1 bird seen and more heard MacConnell's Spinetail Synallaxis macconnelli Near-endemic 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 1 bird at KM 756 Stripe-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis cinnamomea Near-endemic Venezuela - 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 1 bird seen Tepui Spinetail Cranioleuca demissa Near-endemic 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - One bird seen at KM 756 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 1 bird at KM 756 Crested Spinetail Cranioleuca subcristata Near-endemic 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 2 birds seen Yellow-chinned Spinetail Certhiaxis cinnamomea 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - Common 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Few birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Common Ochre-browed Thistletail Schizoeaca coryi Country endemic 18/07/2007 - Mucubajie - 1 bird taped in Streak-backed Canastero Asthenes wyatti 18/07/2007 - Mifafi - 3 birds seen 18/07/2007 - Paso del Aguila - 2 birds seen

Common Thornbird Phacellodomus rufifrons 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 1 bird seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Few birds seen Pearled Treerunner Margarornis squamiger 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 1 bird seen 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - Few birds seen Plain Xenops Xenops minutus 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - 2 birds along the Capuchinroad 10/07/2007 - 1 bird along the Capuchinroad Streaked Xenops Xenops rutilans 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 1 bird seen Streaked Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 2 birds seen White-throated Foliage-gleaner Automolus roraimae Near-endemic 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - 2 birds at the beginning of the Alcabala-trail Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa 07/07/2007 - Capuchin Road - 2 birds 10/07/2007 - 2 birds along the Capuchinroad Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 10/07/2007 - 2 birds on the Capuchintrail 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - 2 birds seen at KM 737 Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 1 bird seen Amazonian Barred-Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes certhia 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 1 bird at KM 756 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One bird along the Capuchinroad 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - 2 birds seen at KM 737 Cocoa Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus susurrans 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 2 birds seen Olive-backed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus triangularis 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 2 birds seen at KM 756 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 1 bird seen Straight-billed Woodcreeper Dendroplex picus 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 3 Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 1 bird seen Montane Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 1 bird seen Black-crested Antshrike Sakesphorus canadensis 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 1 male Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 2 birds seen and more heard 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 1 female seen and 2 more heard Streak-backed Antshrike Thamnophilus insignis Country endemic 12/07/2007 - Escalera - One pair was taped in at KM 747 Dusky-throated Antshrike Thamnomanes ardesiacus 10/07/2007 - One pair on the Capuchintrail

Cinereous Antshrike Thamnomanes caesius 10/07/2007 - 1 bird taped in on the Capuchintrail Pygmy Antwren Myrmotherula brachyura 10/07/2007 - a pair was seen along the Capuchinroad Rufous-bellied Antwren Myrmotherula guttata 10/07/2007 - 1 male taped in on the Capuchintrail Brown-bellied Antwren Myrmotherula gutturalis 10/07/2007 - 3 birds on the Capuchintrail White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris 10/07/2007 - 1 bird along the Capuchinroad Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - male and female seen Gray Antwren Myrmotherula menetriesii 10/07/2007 - 2 birds taped in at the Capuchintrail Roraiman Antwren Herpsilochmus roraimae Near-endemic 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - A pair was taped out at KM 756 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 2 birds at KM 756 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - Few birds seen at various altitudes White-fringed Antwren Formicivora grisea 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 2 males and 1 female 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 1 female seen Dusky Antbird Cercomacra tyrannina 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - 2 birds along the Capuchinroad Jet Antbird Cercomacra nigricans 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 1 male 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 male taped in Warbling Antbird Hypocnemis cantator 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One bird at trail km 720 10/07/2007 - 1 bird along the Capuchinroad 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 2 birds singing at the Capuchinroad Black-chinned Antbird Hypocnemoides melanopogon 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - A pair was taped in Silvered Antbird Sclateria naevia 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 1 male 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - A pair was taped in Ferruginous-backed Antbird Myrmeciza ferruginea 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 bird seen very nicely 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - One bird perfectly seen when coming in to the tape Immaculate Antbird Myrmeciza immaculata 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 3 birds seen White-plumed Antbird Pithys albifrons 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - at least 3 birds near an army-antswarm Rufous-throated Antbird Gymnopithys rufigula 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - at least 10 birds near an army-antswarm Scale-backed Antbird Hylophylax poecilinota 10/07/2007 - One bird taped in along the Capuchinroad Black-faced Antthrush Formicarius analis 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 1 bird seen very well and another 4 heard Chestnut-crowned Antpitta Grallaria ruficapilla 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 1 bird heard 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 1 bird seen and commonly heard

Gray-naped Antpitta Grallaria griseonucha Country endemic 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 6 birds heard, one came in very close but didn't get a glimps. They were very hard to call in. Thrush-like Antpitta Myrmothera campanisona 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - HO - One bird heard only Tepui Antpitta Myrmothera simplex Near-endemic 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - HO - 2 birds heard at the Alcabala trail 09/07/2007 - La Escalera-HO-One bird heard at a distance at the Alcabala-trail 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - 1 bird taped in and nice seen at the Alcabala-trail Slate-crowned Antpitta Grallaricula nana 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 3 birds seen very well and another 2 heard Merida Tapaculo Scytalopus meridanus Near-endemic 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 2 birds seen and 3 more heard 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 1 juvenile seen, 5-6 heard Green-and-black Fruiteater Pipreola riefferii 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 4 birds only heard Handsome Fruiteater Pipreola formosa Country endemic 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - At least 2 males and one female seen and 4 more heard Red-banded Fruiteater Pipreola whitelyi Near-endemic 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - One bird seen very well at KM 746 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - 1 bird heard at KM 747 Screaming Piha Lipaugus vociferans 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 2 birds seen and many more heard 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 2 birds seen and 3 more heard Rose-collared Piha Lipaugus streptophorus Near-endemic 09/07/2007 - La Escalera - 2 birds seen very good at the Alcabala-trail Pompadour Cotinga Xipholena punicea 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One female at km 728 10/07/2007 - Escalera - A female near the 'Piedre de Virgin' Capuchinbird Perissocephalus tricolor 10/07/2007 - One bird heard at the Capuchintrail White Bellbird Procnias alba 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 4 birds heard 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana - 10+ birds heard, especially from the Soldiers Monument 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - heard only at the beginning of the Gran Sabana Bearded Bellbird Procnias averano 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana - 5+ birds heard, also especially from the Soldiers Monument 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - heard only at the beginning of the Gran Sabana Guianan Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola rupicola 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One male flew over the road at km 736 Olive Manakin Chloropipo uniformis Near-endemic 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One bird along the Alcabala-trail White-throated Manakin Corapipo gutturalis 10/07/2007 - Escalera and Gran Sabana in the evening - One nice male near the 'Piedre de Virgin' Crimson-hooded Manakin Pipra aureola 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - One male seen and another heard Golden-headed Manakin Pipra erythrocephala 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 male seen well 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - One male seen 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - One male seen very well at KM 756

Scarlet-horned Manakin Pipra cornuta Near-endemic 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - 1 female or immature male seen at KM 756 Tepui Manakin Lepidothrix suavissima Near-endemic 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One female at km 736 Wing-barred Piprites Piprites chloris 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 1 bird seen (range extension?) Thrush-like Schiffornis Schiffornis turdinus 11/07/2007 - 1 bird nicely seen at the Capuchinrail Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 2 Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempis flaveola 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - One bird seen Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet Tyrannulus elatus Venezuela - 1/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 1 Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster 1/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga – 2 birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Few birds seen Small-billed Elaenia Elaenia parvirostris 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 2 birds identified 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 5+ birds seen Plain-crested Elaenia Elaenia cristata 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the morning and La Escalera - 1 bird at the Soldiers Monument 10/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the evening - 1 bird at the Gran Sabana Mountain Elaenia Elaenia frantzii 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - Few birds seen 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - Few birds seen Sierran Elaenia Elaenia pallatangae 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - One bird at KM 746 11/07/2007 - 5 birds seen along the higher Escalera 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - One bird at KM 746 Torrent Tyrannulet Serpophaga cinerea 20/07/2007 - En route from Tabay to Maracay - 1 bird seen at a river near St. Domingo Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 5+ 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 2 birds seen Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 2 birds seen MacConnell's Flycatcher Mionectes macconnelli 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - One bird at KM 746 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - few birds seen 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - One bird at KM 727 Sepia-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon amaurocephalus 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - One bird at KM 756 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the morning and La Escalera - One bird at the Alcabala-trail Variegated Bristle-Tyrant Pogonotriccus poecilotis 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 2 birds seen 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - Few birds seen Venezuelan Tyrannulet Zimmerius improbus Near-endemic 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 1 bird seen White-throated Tyrannulet Mecocerculus leucophrys 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 3 birds seen

White-banded Tyrannulet Mecocerculus stictopterus 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 5+ birds seen Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus galeatus 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - One bird seen Ruddy Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus russatus Near-endemic 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One bird ath the Alcabala-trail 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the morning and La Escalera - One bird at the Alcabala-trail 11/07/2007 - Escalera - 1 bird at the beginning of the Alcabala-trail Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 2 birds seen Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga – 4 birds seen 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 2 birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 10+ birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Fairly common Roraiman Flycatcher Myiophobus roraimae 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the morning and La Escalera - One bird at the Alcabala-trail Bran-colored Flycatcher Myiophobus fasciatus 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 1 bird seen Cinnamon Flycatcher Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 4 birds seen Cliff Flycatcher Hirundinea ferruginea 10/07/2007 - 2 birds at the 'Piedre de Virgin' and 2 more at a rocky area up the Escalera 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 3 birds seen Fuscous Flycatcher Cnemotriccus fuscatus 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 1 bird seen Smoke-colored Pewee Contopus fumigatus 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 2 birds seen 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the morning and La Escalera - One bird at the Alcabala-trail 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - 1 bird at KM 743 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 2 birds seen Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 1 bird seen near a stream at Santo Domingo 18/07/2007 - Paso del Aguila - 1 bird at Dona Rosa 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 2 birds seen Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 3 birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 5+ birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Few birds seen Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca diadema 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 2 birds seen, real fligthy skulkers Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 2 birds seen, near the third of the three small streams Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant Ochthoeca fumicolor 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail- 1 bird seen/Mifafi - 1 bird seen/Mucubajie - 2 birds seen/Paso del Aguila - 2 birds seen Amazonian Black-Tyrant Knipolegus poecilocercus 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen Rufous-tailed Tyrant Knipolegus poecilurus 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One bird at the Alcabala-trail Pied Water-Tyrant Fluvicola pica 1/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga - 10+

14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Few birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Few birds seen White-headed Marsh-Tyrant Arundinicola leucocephala 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - One male seen 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 1 male seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Few birds seen Long-tailed Tyrant Colonia colonus 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 Cattle Tyrant Machetornis rixosus 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 3 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Fairly common Cinnamon Attila Attila cinnamomeus 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 1 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - One bird seen Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 1 Lesser Kiskadee Philohydor lictor 1/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 1 2/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - 2 birds seen 3/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - One bird seen 6/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 2 birds seen 10/07/2007 - 2 birds along the Capuchinroad 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Few birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Common in the lowlands Rusty-margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - One bird seen 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - Few birds seen 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Few birds seen Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis Fairly common Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 3 birds seen 3/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - 1 10/07/2007 - Escalera and Gran Sabana - One bird near the 'Piedre el Virgin' 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 1 bird along the Capuchinroad 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Few birds seen Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 2 birds seen White-bearded Flycatcher Phelpsia inornata Country endemic 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 1 bird seen Variegated Flycatcher Empidonomus varius 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 2 birds seen 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 1 bird seen Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Very common Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 2 birds seen

15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Few birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Few birds seen Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana 13/07/2007 - En route from Las Claritas to Valle de la Pascua - Few birds seen 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - More than 1000 birds!!! White-naped Xenopsaris Xenopsaris albinucha 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen well at the lodge 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen Black-and-white Becard Pachyramphus albogriseus 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 1 male seen Brown-chested Martin Progne tapera 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 5+ 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 20 birds seen Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea 29/06/2007 - Irape - 20+ 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - few 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Common White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer 29/06/2007 - Irape - 20+ 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 3 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Few birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Few birds seen Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - 10+ 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana, La Escalera, Barquilla de Fresa - 5+ birds seen 10/07/2007 - Capuchinroad in the morning and Escalera and Gran Sabana evening - 5+ birds 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - few birds seen 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 10+ birds at the mine Brown-bellied Swallow Notiochelidon murina 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - Common 18/07/2007 - Mucubajie - Few birds seen White-banded Swallow Atticora fasciata 06/07/2007 - en route from El Palmar to Las Claritas - Few birds at the bridge over Rio Curuni Tawny-headed Swallow Alopochelidon fucata 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - A pair around the Soldiers Monument 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana - 2 birds seen at the Soldiers Monument 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 2 birds at the Soldiers Monument Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 1 bird seen Paramo Pipit Anthus bogotensis 18/07/2007 - Paso del Aguila - 3 birds seen Yellowish Pipit Anthus lutescens 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen White-capped Dipper Cinclus leucocephalus Venezuela - 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 1 bird at a stream near Santo Domingo Black-capped Donacobius Donacobius atricapilla 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 10+ 14/07/2007 - En route to Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 1 bird seen Bicolored Wren Campylorhynchus griseus 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 2 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 2 birds seen Stripe-backed Wren Campylorhynchus nuchalis Near-endemic 30/06/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga Lodge grounds - 1

1/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga - 2 birds seen and several heard 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 2 birds seen Coraya Wren Thryothorus coraya 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 2 birds at KM 756 Rufous-breasted Wren Thryothorus rutilus 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 2 birds seen Rufous-and-white Wren Thryothorus rufalbus 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 1 bird seen House Wren Troglodytes aedon 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 2 09/07/2007 - One bird at the garden of Barquilla de Fresa 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 1 bird seen 20/07/2007 - En route from Tabay to Maracay - Few birds seen 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Few birds seen Mountain Wren Troglodytes solstitialis 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 2 birds seen White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta 10/07/2007 - 1 bird at the Capuchintrail Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - Few birds seen and heard 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - Common Flutist Wren Microcerculus ustulatus Near-endemic 10/07/2007 - Escalera and Gran Sabana - 1 bird foraging along the road at KM 737 Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - Common 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 2 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - few 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - Few birds seen 09/07/2007 - 10+ birds at the Gran Sabana 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Fairly common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Common Pale-eyed Thrush Platycichla leucops 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 1 Yellow-legged Thrush Platycichla flavipes 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 2 birds seen Great Thrush Turdus fuscater 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - Common 18/07/2007 - Mucubajie - Common Glossy-black Thrush Turdus serranus 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - 1 male and 1 female Chestnut-bellied Thrush Turdus fulviventris 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 2 birds seen Black-billed Thrush Turdus ignobilis 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana - 5+ birds at the Soldiers Monument - 1 bird at the Alcabala-trail 10/07/2007 - Escalera and Gran Sabana - 5+ birds at the Gran Sabana and 1 bird at KM 737 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - Few birds at the Gran Sabana 20/07/2007 - En route from Tabay to Maracay - 1 bird seen near Rio Barrigan Bare-eyed Thrush Turdus nudigenis 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 1 04/07/2007 - En route from Caripe towards El Palmar - 1 Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 2

Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 10+ birds seen 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - Few birds at the headquarters Cayenne Jay Cyanocorax cayanus 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 5 birds seen 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 5 birds seen 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 3 birds along the Capuchinroad Tepui Greenlet Hylophilus sclateri Near-endemic 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - One bird seen at KM 756 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 2 birds at KM 756 Golden-fronted Greenlet Hylophilus aurantiifrons 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 3 birds seen Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 1 bird seen White-lored Euphonia Euphonia chrysopasta 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 1 bird seen very well Orange-bellied Euphonia Euphonia xanthogaster 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 2 males identified 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 4 birds seen Golden-sided Euphonia Euphonia cayennensis 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - One male and 2 females seen Blue-naped Chlorophonia Chlorophonia cyanea 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana and La Escalera - 2 birds around KM 750 Andean Siskin Carduelis spinescens Near-endemic 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 2 birds seen Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 1 bird seen 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 3 birds seen Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - One male seen 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - One bird seen Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - 5+ birds seen 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - Common 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - One bird seen 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - Fairly common Tepui Redstart Myioborus castaneocapillus Near-endemic 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - few parties een at KM 746 and 756 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the morning and La Escalera - One bird at the Alcabala-trail 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - few birds at the Alcabala-trail 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - 1 bird seen at KM 747 White-fronted Redstart Myioborus albifrons Near-threatened (NT) Country endemic 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - Fairly common Two-banded Warbler Basileuterus bivittatus 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 2 birds at km 756 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - few birds seen at KM 756 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - fairly common Citrine Warbler Basileuterus luteoviridis 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 3 birds seen 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - Few birds seen Black-crested Warbler Basileuterus nigrocristatus 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - only 1 bird seen

Gray-headed Warbler Basileuterus griseiceps Endangered (EN) Country endemic 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - At least 1 bird seen on 3 occasions Russet-crowned Warbler Basileuterus coronatus 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - Fairly common Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - 2 birds seen Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 1 bird seen 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 2 birds seen Rose-breasted Chat Granatellus pelzelni 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - One male seen very well Bananaquit Coereba flaveola 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga - Common 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - Common 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - Common 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - Common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 1 bird heard 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 1 bird seen White-eared Conebill Conirostrum leucogenys Near-endemic 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 2 birds seen Bicolored Conebill Conirostrum bicolor 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - 10+ birds seen Blue-backed Conebill Conirostrum sitticolor 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 5 birds seen Black-faced Tanager Schistochlamys melanopis 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana and La Escalera - 4 birds at the Gran Sabana KM 761-763 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - 2 birds at the beginning of the Alcabala-trail 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 1 bird seen Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 3 birds seen Gray-capped Hemispingus Hemispingus reyi Near-threatened (NT) Country endemic 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 15 birds in 3 groups Olive-backed Tanager Mitrospingus oleagineus Near-endemic 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 10+ birds seen at KM 746 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - 3 birds at KM 756 and 2 at the beginning of the Gran Sabana Flame-crested Tanager Tachyphonus cristatus 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - 2 birds along the Capuchinroad Fulvous-crested Tanager Tachyphonus surinamus 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - One male and 1 female 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - One pair at KM 727 White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus 30/06/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga Lodge grounds - 2 birds seen White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus 29/06/2007 - En route to Irape - 2 males and 1 female 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - Few birds seen 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - Few birds seen 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 1 male seen Red-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus phoenicius 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - A pair seen at KM 746 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - 1 male at the beginning of the Gran Sabana 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - One pair at KM 746 Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 1 pair seen

White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 1 male seen 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - 3 birds seen Silver-beaked Tanager Ramphocelus carbo Fairly common Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus Common Glaucous Tanager Thraupis glaucocolpa Near-endemic 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 10+ Blue-capped Tanager Thraupis cyanocephala 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 2 birds seen Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum 30/06/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga Lodge grounds - 2 birds seen 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga - Few birds seen 09/07/2007 - 2 birds at the Anaconda Garden 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 2 birds in the Anaconda Garden 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - 2 birds at the hotel garden 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - Few birds seen 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Common Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager Anisognathus lacrymosus 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 5 birds seen Turquoise Tanager Tangara mexicana 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 2 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 5 birds Paradise Tanager Tangara chilensis 10/07/2007 - 5 birds along the Capuchinroad Yellow-bellied Tanager Tangara xanthogastra 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - Few birds seen 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - few birds seen 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - fairly common Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 3 birds seen 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - Few birds seen 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - Few birds 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana and La Escalera, Barquilla de Fresa - few birds seen 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - few birds seen 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - fairly common Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 10+ 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana and La Escalera, Barquilla de Fresa - One bird seen 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - 2 birds at KM 743 Burnished-buff Tanager Tangara cayana 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana - One bird seen at the Soldiers Monument 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - 1 bird seen at the beginning of the Gran Sabana 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - Few birds seen Blue-necked Tanager Tangara cyanicollis Venezuela - 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - 4 birds seen Blue-and-black Tanager Tangara vassorii 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 3 birds seen Black-headed Tanager Tangara cyanoptera 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - One bird at KM 742,5 Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - 1 male and 2 females 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 1 female and 1 male

08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - Few birds 10/07/2007 - Capuchinroad and Escalera and Gran Sabana - One bird seen 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 1 bird seen Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - One female seen 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana and La Escalera, de Fresa - One bird seen Purple Honeycreeper Cyanerpes caeruleus 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - One female 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - 10+ 10/07/2007 – Capuchinroad, Escalera and Gran Sabana - few birds seen 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - few birds seen 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - fairly common Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - One male and several females 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - 10+ 10/07/2007 - Capuchinroad and Escalera and Gran Sabana - few birds seen 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - few birds seen 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - fairly common 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 2 birds seen Swallow-Tanager Tersina viridis 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - Few birds seen Plush-capped Finch Catamblyrhynchus diadema 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 1 bird in a bamboo-flock Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor 18/07/2007 - Mucubajie - 5 birds seen 18/07/2007 - Paso del Aguila - 2 birds seen Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 male and several females 14/07/2007 - En route to Hato El Cedral - Common Gray Seedeater Sporophila intermedia 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 1 male 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Few birds seen Lesson's Seedeater Sporophila bouvronides 20/07/2007 - En route from Tabay to Maracay - 1 male seen well while queing for the Autopista Yellow-bellied Seedeater Sporophila nigricollis 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - Few birds seen 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - Few birds seen Ruddy-breasted Seedeater Sporophila minuta 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 1 male 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana and La Escalera - One bird seen at the Soldiers Monument 11/07/2007 – Gran Sabana - 1 bird seen at the soldiers Monument 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 1 bird seen Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch Oryzoborus angolensis 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - One male at KM 742,5 17/07/2007 - La Soledad Road - Few birds seen Plain-colored Seedeater Catamenia inornata 18/07/2007 - Mucubajie - 5+ birds seen 18/07/2007 - Paso del Aguila - 5+ birds seen Black-faced Grassquit Tiaris bicolor 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 5+ 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - Few birds seen White-sided Flowerpiercer Diglossa albilatera 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 1 female seen Merida Flowerpiercer Diglossa gloriosa Country endemic 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 2 birds seen

Greater Flowerpiercer Diglossa major Near-endemic 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - One bird at KM 746 Bluish Flowerpiercer Diglossopis caerulescens 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 2 birds seen Masked Flowerpiercer Diglossopis cyanea 17/07/2007 - San Isidro Tunnel Road - Few birds seen 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 5+ birds seen 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - 1 bird seen and commonly heard Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Common Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch Emberizoides herbicola 9/07/2007 - Gran Sabana - 2 birds seen at the Gran Sabana Red-capped Cardinal Paroaria gularis 14/07/2007 - En route to Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Few birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Few birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Fairly common Slaty Brush-Finch Atlapetes schistaceus 18/07/2007 - Gustavo's trail/Los Frailes - 5+ birds seen 19/07/2007 - Pico Humboldt Trail - Few birds seen Tepui Brush-Finch Atlapetes personatus Near-endemic 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 1 bird 300 m before the Albacala at KM 747 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - 2 birds along the Alcabala-trail 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - 2 birds seen at the beginning of the Alcabala-trail Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 3 birds seen Yellow-browed Sparrow Ammodramus aurifrons 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 2 birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Fairly common Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis Fairly common Streaked Saltator Saltator striatipectus 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 2 birds seen Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 10+ 30/06/2007 - Cero Humo - few birds seen 30/06/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga Lodge grounds - 2 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - few 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - 2 birds seen 24/07/2007 - Puerto Columbia - 2 birds seen Vermilion Cardinal Cardinalis phoeniceus Near-endemic 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 1 male Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides 08/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera-Capuchin Road - 2 birds along km 728 Yellow-hooded Blackbird Chrysomus icterocephalus 29/06/2007 - En route to Irape - 1 male 30/06/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga Lodge grounds - 1 male along the road from Irapa to El Pilar 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - Common 04/07/2007 - Drive towards Rio Grande - few 04/07/2007 - En route from Caripe towards El Palmar - few Red-breasted Blackbird Sturnella militaris 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 4 birds seen 04/07/2007 - Drive towards Rio Grande - 1

05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 1 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 2 birds flying over Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 09/07/2007 - Gran Sabana and La Escalera - One bird seen at the Gran Sabana 14/07/2007 - En route to Hato El Cedral - 1 bird seen Carib Grackle Quiscalus lugubris Common Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - flyovers Giant Cowbird Molothrus oryzivorus 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga morning - 1 Yellow Oriole Icterus nigrogularis 29/06/2007 - Araya Peninsula - 5+ 1/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 3 14/07/2007 - En route to Hato El Cedral - Fairly common 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Fairly common 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Few birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - Few birds seen Orange-crowned Oriole Icterus auricapillus Near-endemic 03/07/2007 - Cerro Negro - One bird seen Venezuelan Troupial Icterus icterus Near-endemic 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 2 birds seen at the lodge Yellow-rumped Cacique Cacicus cela 2/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - Few birds seen 4/07/2007 - Drive towards Rio Grande - 1 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - Few birds seen Red-rumped Cacique Cacicus haemorrhous 06/07/2007 - Rio Grande - 3 birds seen 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts beyond the Alcaballa - 5 birds along the Capuchinroad Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus Fairly common Green Oropendola Psarocolius viridis 02/07/2007 - Boat-trip Cano Ajies - Few birds seen 05/07/2007 - Rio Grande - met Harpijgids - 1 07/07/2007 - La Escalera - 2 birds seen Russet-backed Oropendola Psarocolius angustifrons 20/07/2007 - En route from Tabay to Maracay - 2 birds seen near St.Domingo Oriole Blackbird Gymnomystax mexicanus 14/07/2007 - En route to Hato El Cedral - 5+ birds seen 14/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - afternoon drive - 2 birds seen 15/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - morning boattrip and afternoon truckdrive - Few birds seen 16/07/2007 - Hato El Cedral - 4 birds seen Velvet-fronted Grackle Lampropsar tanagrinus 01/07/2007 - Finca Vuelta Larga afternoon - 5+ Golden-tufted Grackle Macroagelaius imthurni Near-endemic 7/07/2007 - La Escalera - few parties seen at KM 743, KM 746 and KM 756 8/07/2007 - Las Claritas-Escalera - 10+ 9/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the morning and La Escalera - One group seen 10/07/2007 - Gran Sabana in the evening - 1 group of 6 birds seen at the Gran Sabana 11/07/2007 - Escalera higher parts - One group of 6 birds seen around KM 750 12/07/2007 - Lower Escalera - A group of 7 birds at KM 746 Total number of birds recorded: 483

BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS Lonely Planet travel guide - VENEZUELA - Lonely Planet travel guide ISBN 1740596838 Hilthy L. S. - Birds of Venezuela - Paperback 2003 – Helm Fieldguides ISBN: 0951792067 Mary Lou Goodwin – Birding in Venezuela – Paperback 2003 - Lynx editions CD-DVD Peter Boesman - Birds of Venezuela - MP3 Sound Collection - 2006 - Birdsounds.nl Peter Boesman - Birds of Venezuela - DVD-ROM - 2007 - Birdsounds.nl REPORTS Trip reports were taken from following websites: www.netfugl.dk www.surfbirds.com www.travellingbirder.com www.fatbirder.com www.eurobirding.com Birdquest – Mark Van Beirs Eastern Venezuela jan-feb 2006 Birdquest – Paul Coopmans Eastern Venezuela jan-feb 2005 D.Van Den Schoor Northern Venezuela 10 – 18 march 2006 D.Van Den Schoor Eastern Venezuela 14 – 30 december 2002 Ron Hoff Venezuela 29 may – 11 june 2005 Lowe D./R.Rae Northern and Eastern Venezuela 2 – 16 july 2005 E.Jirle Venezuela 4 - 28 february 2005 J.Black E and SE Venezuela 2006 11 – 25 february 2006 J.Kelchtermans Venezuela 2006 24 dec – 7 jan 2006 WEBSITES Following websites where very usefull http://www.birdvenezuela.com/ http://www.ascaniobirding.com/html/home_en.php http://www.strawberrybirds.com/

THANKS As a final word I would like to say thank you to my girlfriend, Susanne for here great companionship. A great thank you for the people who helped me prepare this trip and lend me some books or sound-recordings, Mark Van Beirs, David Van Den Schoor and Wim Heylen. A great thank you to Peter Boesman for giving me some valuable pre-trip info and for comments on the first draft of my report. Also thanks to Pépé Clavijo for his comments and David Ascanio for some ID-help. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS CAN BE SEND TO tomgoossens(at)pandora.be